From olive oil to coconut oil and from rapeseed oil to avocado oil: there are a lot of different oils that you can use to prepare meals. But have you ever wondered which oil is the healthiest option?
Is oil actually healthy anyway? According to nutritionist Kris Sollid, it certainly is. He lays at it AD explains that oils are a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats. According to him, an oil is healthy if it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Does it contain a lot of saturated fats? Then they usually fall into the unhealthy category.
Olive oil and canola oil
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which lower the cholesterol level in your blood. The same applies to rapeseed oil: it contains fewer bad saturated fats and more polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important. Omega 3 fatty acids can protect you against cardiovascular disease and, according to some, it also has positive effects on cancer, ADHD and Alzheimer’s, but that has not yet been proven.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is also a healthier option: it contains slightly less monounsaturated fats than olive oil, but it does contain more omega-3 fatty acids. A good choice for your kitchen cupboard.
Cooking with oil
According to chef Matt Aita, it’s important to consider the way you cook. He himself likes to cook with avocado oil. “This oil contains a lot of monounsaturated fats, has a beneficial effect on your cholesterol levels and promotes the absorption of nutrients,” he says. And another advantage: it has a high smoke point, which means that it only burns at a high temperature. With oil, the higher the smoke point, the better.
Cold meals and salads
Canola oil is also a favorite of Aita’s, as it is low in saturated fats and has a higher smoke point than olive oil. That is why he prefers to use olive oil for cold meals and salads. This also applies to flaxseed oil “Flaxseed oil reduces symptoms of osteoarthritis, but I only use it for cold preparations,” Aita explains.
Coconut oil and palm oil
Aita is not a fan of coconut oil and palm oil. These fats contain a lot of saturated fats and no useful nutrients. So if I were you, I would use these oils sparingly.”
Bron: AD
Foto: Getty Images
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