Healthy Foods and Healthy Cooking Oils
When it comes to eating healthy, we all know that certain foods are better than others are, but how we prepare these healthy foods make a big difference. One of the most important topics on food preparation is what type of oils you should use to prepare the meal. Many products claim they are the best. However, Let us take a closer look at a few of these products so we could decide which is better and which to stay away from.
Canola oil is very popular, and is widely used by many. According to some experts, it has the ability to lower the risk of heart disease. Canola oil is low in saturated fat, but high in monounsaturated fat making it one of the better oils in terms of good fat - bad fat composition.
Canola oil is used mainly for sautéing, marinating, and can be used for frying in low temperatures. Many people like bland oils, which do not interfere with their high-spiced foods. Canola is the best oil for these types of people due to its light taste.
If you are not a big fan of oil, then butter might be right for you. Butter has lasted the test of time, and has been with us for many years. It is great tasting, and offers a litany of vitamins such as, A, E, and D. Butter is also made from natural ingredients and not artificially manufactured in a lab.
Butter is mainly used for cooking, baking, or a spread. It is also favorable to combine with sauces, marinades, and baked dishes. However, many people find butter irresistible as a spread on their favorite bread.
Out of all the products listed in this article, it is wise to say that this one is the worse. Margarine was first brought on the scene as an alternative to butter. This product is manufactured and is loaded with trans-fats, which helps to raise cholesterol levels.
However, if you must use margarine it can be used as cooking oil. Margarine has a pleasant taste to it, and is easily spread. It is also available as an ingredient in many of our processed products. The only upside to margarine is that it is high in vitamin E.
Last but definitely not least is the best oil of them all. Olive oil is also known as the king of oils for its flavor as well as its medicinal properties. Thanks to its high levels in monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic, olive oil protects against the most harmful effects of excessive cholesterol in the blood: arteriosclerosis. For this reason, olive oil is considered the most heart healthy of all the oils.
When it comes to frying and cooking – olive oil is by far the best oil to use, because it resists higher temperatures without decomposing. In addition, it is more stable since it contains fewer polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it lasts longer before becoming rancid and producing dangerous peroxides.
