Cooking oil is an important part of every diet. If you wondering which oil is best for you, here are some tips that can help you determine.
Always read the labels carefully before buying your cooking oil
HIGHLIGHTS
- Choose the flavour of your cooking oil as per preference
- Check for nutrients in your cooking oil
- You should also check the smoking point of the cooking oil
Cooking oils are an essential part of our daily meals and choosing the right cooking oil can make a world of difference to your health. Each oil has its own properties that serves different purposes. Also, there have been many studies that correlate the fatty acid content in oils with cholesterol levels, cardiovascular and skin health, and fitness and wellness, which makes it important to choose cooking oil for a healthy lifestyle and make a conscious choice while purchasing cooking oil.
Here are quick and simple tips to understand for choosing the right cooking oil
1. Smoking point
The smoke point is the temperature at which the solids in the oil begin to burn and denature. Even though all oils smoke but every cooking oil has a different temperature threshold based on its composition that determines the ideal cooking method that particular oil should be used for. So, higher the smoking point, higher is the suitability for frying food.
higher the smoking point, higher is the suitability for frying food, suggests expert
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2. Consider the flavor of the oil
In-terms of flavour matching, consider the function of the oil in your recipe. For lubricant in the cooking process, go for oil that is light in flavour, whereas if the flavour of the oil is to play a role in the dish opt for one with a distinguished. Hence, choose wisely, and your oil will enhance your dish, instead of adding a bizarre flavouring element.
Also read: Olive Oil Benefits: Know Why A Celebrity Fitness Trainer Recommends It As a Healthy Cooking Oil
3. Check on nutritional considerations
Cooking oil should be enriched with vitamins such as A, E and D which are an essential part of our diet. Vitamin A is key for good vision, healthy immune and growth. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue damaged caused by free radicals. Vitamin D is essential for immunity and strong bones. All of these nutrients are vital when opting for the right cooking oil.
Make sure that your cooking oil contains vitamins such as A, E and D
Photo Credit: iStock
4. The fat content
Cooking oil typically consists of 3 types of Fatty Acids: Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA), Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) and Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA). Saturated fats are highly stable that resists oxidation while both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated helps in preventing diseases like high cholesterol and heart attack. So, marking a balance should be considered between these acids and as with any fat, we should use and consume it sparingly.
Also read: Chia Seed Oil: Amazing Health Benefits Of This Oil You Should Not Miss
5. The price preference
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Price simply being a good indicator of quality. And yes, quality cooking oils cost more because they are more difficult to produce. Well, the harder the production of the oil, the more expensive they cost on the shelf. So, to note it is always better to buy quality oil in small quantities, rather than a lot of a cheap oil in bulk.
Also read: Cooking Tips: Nutritionist Gives 10 Tips To Use Less Oil For Frying And Sautéing
Over to you:
Thus, balancing your flavour choice with cooking method, checking up the smoking point, nutritional considerations and price, and there will always be a right oil selection for you.
(Nmami Agarwal is a Nutritionist at NmamiLife)
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