TIP OF THE DAY: The Right Cooking Oil
| When you’re making a choice of cooking oil at the supermarket, do you know why you choose that particular type? Is it habit, what your mother used, whatever is on sale?
There are three reasons to pick a cooking oil: 1. The first is for your health: Unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are heart healthy. These include avocado oil, canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil and nut- and seed oils. Saturated fats and trans fats are unhealthy oils. It’s best to avoid tropical oils: coconut oil, palm oil and others. Trans fats, saturated fats that occur in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, have gotten so much press over the last couple of years that most of us know to avoid them. While many products have been reformulated, look closely at the labels of margarine and shortening.
|
Avocado oil is heart-healthy and has a very |
|
| While they’re delicious, limit your intake of animal fats (butter, bacon grease, chicken fat, lard, etc.).
2. The second reason to choose an oil is the smoke point. Sautéing occurs at a much lower heat than deep fat frying, for example. Take a look at our smoke point chart to see the different temperature tolerances of the major oils and fats. 3. The flavor you prefer (or lack thereof) is another reason to choose an oil. But first, be sure it’s healthy and the right smoke point. |
||
