How to Pick (and Use) the Healthiest Oilsby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 26 Dec 2007 07:48 PM Good fats. Bad fats. How do you know the difference? How do you know which oils are the best for you? Here are some tips to help you pick out the best oils for your health (and for flavorful cooking)! First, the basics: you want to get around twenty percent of your daily calories from fats and oils. Yes, that sounds like a lot. But a deficit of good fats can lower your vitamin E intake, keep your good cholesterol from rising, and send your triglycerides through the roof. And some studies have shown that your body absorbs antioxidants and other good stuff from veggies better when those veggies are paired with oil.
- Try to use a variety of oils in your cooking. Not only do you get a wide range of flavors, you get a wide range of health benefits.
- Watch how much oil you use. Don't just use a splash of oil -- measure what you are using. Without an exact measurement, you could be adding way too many fats and calories to your meal.
- Try a mister on your meats, veggies, pasta, and salads. A mister is a good way to spread flavor around without overloading yourself. There are salad dressing misters available at your local supermarket, or you can get a mister and fill it with your own oil and herbs.
- Use flaxseed and walnut oils to get your alpha-linolenic acid -- your body converts it into omega-3 fatty acids. Watch out -- high temperatures destroy the healthy fats in flaxseed and walnut oils. Keep them chilled and try adding one of these oils to your next smoothie instead.
- Sesame and peanut oils can be cooked at high temperatures without losing their good fats. Try them in your next stir-fry.
- Olive and canola oils are the highest in monounsaturated fats -- the kind of fat that protects your heart. Use them in a sauté or any kind of savory recipe. Choose 100% pure canola oil and extra-virgin olive oil. Imported olive oil can be worth the price -- most imported olive oils are produced under very strict quality standards.
canola oil, flaxseed oil, hEALTHY oILS, oils, olive oil
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