We’ve come a long way in the past 10 years in realizing that not all fat is evil. In fact, there are quite a few healthy fats and oils out there that you should consume on a regular basis. Here are three of them that are perfect for cooking and finishing foods.
If you’re not already using them, give them at try. They will make you feel better, make your food taste amazing, and might actually help you lose weight.
Olive Oil
Let’s start with the most common of our three oils. If you’re not already using extra virgin olive oil, there’s no better time than the present to start. Go for cold pressed and a high quality olive oil. It contains lots of monounsaturated fat and has even been shown to reduce inflammation in your body.
The oil changes when exposed to very high temperatures. Avoid using it when frying food and stick to using it as a finishing oil instead. It makes a great base for salad dressings and is delicious when you dip bread in it.
Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil is an oil that you can use for frying and cooking. While it isn’t a very popular cooking oil yet, it is something that’s widely available in grocery stores. Grape Seed Oil’s two big advantages are that it can withstand high cooking temperatures without oxidization and that it’s full of linoleic acid.
Linoleic acid seems to be particularly helpful in releasing and burning off abdominal fat. That means using a little of this oil in your everyday cooking may just help you lose a few pounds. This may also reduce your risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Peanut Oil
Like olive oil, peanut oil is full of heart healthy mono unsaturated fats. It’s also full of Vitamin E which helps your body heal better and quicker. Peanut oil also contains phytosterols which can help lower your bad cholesterol.
Because of its high smoke point, peanut oil is great for frying and deep frying food. Or get a spoon of all natural peanut butter and enjoy. Use it on a sandwich, dip some fruit in it, or have a little peanut butter and dark chocolate for dessert.
Another great approach is to think about how you can replace some of the fats and oils you’re using right now with these healthier alternatives. Replace your store-bought salad dressing with a home-made olive oil based version.
Use peanut and grape seed oil instead of vegetable or canola oil. Make smarter choices and improve your health by incorporating more healthy fats into your diet.
