Using Fats and Oils

Fats and Oils:

Fats are found not only in food, but are also added during preparation, cooking, and serving. They are absolutely essential to your health, but one of the most interesting nutritional discoveries of the last decade has been that not all fats have the same effect on your health.

Saturated fats, such as butter, lard, and dripping, have been identified as having the potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because they raise the levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. however, we now know that other fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in plant based oils and fish, are healthy and may protect us against disease.

As a first step in modifying your diet, substitute olive or rapeseed oil for animal fats in your cooking. Bear in mind though, that whichever oil you choose, it will provide 99 calories per tablespoon. So all fats, including oils, should be used in moderation. Beneficial oils such as monounsaturated fats, which are found in abundance in olive oil and rapeseed oils, have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease when they are eaten as part of a healthy diet.