Cooking Oils: The Healthy Variety
Information on the detrimental health effects of saturated fat and trans-fat have made the rounds in print, radio, TV and the internet. Authorities and experts are continuously encouraging people to stay away from it. A vast majority has avoided using it in their homes, however, it still lurks in processed foods, fast foods and who knows even restaurant foods. Truth is, unless, we prepared our own food, we don’t have control over the components in them. That is why cooking our own meals is still the best bet.
Have you ever wondered why foods cooked in oil are so flavorful? It’s because fat gives a lot of flavor to them. But instead of giving up the foods we love to eat, we should look for healthy options. This is an easier more sustainable path toward healthy eating, rather than totally cutting the diet we have been used to.
Health-friendly fats are those that are unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated. These oils can replace saturated fat and trans-fat in our food preparation. There are several kinds of unsaturated oil, and each has its own characteristics and its own benefit. You can use them to suit your recipes.
Olive oil is monounsaturated fat. It helps prevent heart disease. However, it should be used moderately because it is reportedly high in calories. Olive oil is best used for seasoning and in salad dressings. It can also be used for sautéing and baking.
You might have come across beauty products that contain almond oil. It’s because it is rich in vitamin E. It contains omega-6 which is good for the heart. Almond oil is not just for beauty products, it can be used for stir frying, too.
Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat. The saturated fat in it is mostly lauric acid which has been found to provide a host of health benefits from boosting immunity to fighting bacteria and viruses. It does not contain trans-fat or cholesterol. For cooking, use it for chicken and pancakes. Take note to use the refined variety.
Canola oil contains a lot of essential fatty acids. It can be used for all purpose cooking. It is High in omega-6 and the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linoleic acid, which prevents inflammation and protects the heart. Canola oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils around.
Avocado oil is very rich in vitamin E and a host of antioxidants. It is also used in cosmetics. Use it for all cooking purposes.
Flaxseed oil is used for salad dressing not for cooking. It is high in omega-3 fatty acid which is an effective force against inflammation. The fat in it is said to help burn body fat.
Grape-seed oil is rich in antioxidants and essential polyunsaturated fat which can lower blood pressure and help fight heart disease. The polyphenol in grape-seed oil is said to slow the aging process. Stir fry your dishes with it and use it for baking.
We must not totally eliminate fat from our diets, because our bodies still need them. And, healthy oils offer a host of protection to our bodies. Further, it is almost impossible to maintain a fat-free diet. The wise move is to use any of the healthy oils to prepare our food.
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