You're trying to feed your children healthy food.But when it comes to oil, you're stumped.
You have about a dozen choices and there's so much conflicting information about which
oils to choose that we've made this video to help you understand which are the healthiest
and which are the worst.
Oil is a form of fat, and children and adults need it in their diets for digestion, energy
and to absorb vitamins.
Fats provide cushioning for vital organ systems, help regulate body temperature and help proteins
do their job.
But all oils are not created equal.
We recommend three healthy oils: olive oil, canola oil and soybean oil.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, and has been shown to reduce levels of obesity.
Extra virgin is the best-tasting and purest type of oil.
Because olive oil costs more, we recommend that you use it for cold dishes such as dressing,
pasta, hummus, and for dipping bread.
Our second favorite is canola oil, made from the crushed seeds of the canola plant.
It has the lowest saturated fat content, and is cheaper than olive oil, and closer to it
in nutritional value.
Our third favorite, soybean oil, is extracted from the soybean.
It has a higher smoke point, lots of health benefits, and it can be used in baking and
cooking.
Just make sure you buy unrefined soybean oil that has no trans fat.
Other heart-healthy oils include those from plants: almond oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed
oil, peanut oil, walnut oil and sesame oil.
Here are oils to avoid: Margarine and shortening, any oil that's partially hydrogenated, palm
oil which contains saturated fat, butter which is also high in saturated fat, and lard, the
big no-no.
Finally, it's best to never deep-fry any food, even fish and vegetables.
You don't need the fat and calories.
Stick to sauteing and stir-frying.
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