What is the Best Oil For Cooking?
Which is the best oil for cooking? That’s the question a lot of people keep asking as they continue to experiment with different types of cooking and preparation techniques. As they all hope to come up with a more interesting, better and unique way to prepare their meals, they always look for the latest and greatest “experts” in the industry. But what is really the best oil for cooking?
Actually, it’s not even close. Even seasoned cooks could all probably agree that there are no two (or three) ways on how to cook using any given oil. And if you’re just starting out with your new career as a chef or a food lover trying to figure out what all the fuss is about, then I’d suggest going down this road first.
Cooking with any kind of oil goes against the natural order of things. Which means, in order to have a tasty meal, we must not introduce any kind of additional fats into our cooking. What’s the story with olive oil anyway? Olive oil is naturally low-fat and you’ll be hard pressed to find any health claims to back up that claim.
We have all heard the claims made by manufacturers of low-fat and low-sugar oils. But those claims don’t hold water. The truth is that any type of fat added to any kind of food, even some virgin oils, is going to increase your cholesterol levels. In addition, most of the oils we use in the United States today contain at least some amount of sodium. Those oils can also lead to some degree of arthritis. So, is olive oil the best choice for cooking?
Not long ago, it was believed by many that virgin oil was the healthiest oil available. However, new research has found that virgin oil contains moderate amounts of mercury, a substance that has been associated with developmental and reproductive problems in human beings. What’s more, even if you eliminate all other fats from your diet, you still would not reach the recommended daily allowance of mercury. In other words, you probably would end up with a metal overload.
The best oil for cooking? An easy answer: fish. Not only is fish the healthiest alternative to meats, it is also one of the most delicious. Of course, what is the best oil for cooking? That depends on whether you want your fish to be cooked quickly or slowly. If you like your fish hot, then salmon or trout would be a great choice.
If you are concerned about consuming fat, then olive oil is the only sensible choice. Not only does it contain healthy monounsaturated fats, but it also contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that has the ability to reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), while increasing HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). In addition, it contains a wealth of antioxidants, including quercetin, a compound that has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Yes, it is the oil that is the best for cooking.
So, which is the best oil for cooking? There isn’t just one answer. It depends on what you want to cook, who you’re cooking for, and what’s best for your body. But if you take the time to look beyond the label, you will find an amazing variety of healthy alternatives.
Avocado oil is one of the healthiest oils you can use on your foods. It is rich in vitamins A, D, and E, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. It has been used for thousands of years to battle various skin conditions, including psoriasis and acne. This versatile oil is high in protein and is rich in amino acids, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. If you eat a handful of almonds each day, you will get plenty of vitamin A.
As far as what is the best for cooking, coconut oil is a close second, though it is not as healthy as virgin oil. The reason for this is that the content of saturated fat is much higher in coconut oil than it is in olive oil. Therefore, it will not keep you from eating lots of foods containing saturated fats. However, you should still limit your intake of foods that contain high levels of saturated fats, such as pastries, cookies, and candy. Just remember that by using coconut oil in place of olive oil, you will get healthy saturated fats, but the benefit of eating healthy will be negated by the high concentration of unhealthy fat in coconut oil.
So, which is the best oil for cooking? It really comes down to personal preference. Each person has their own method of cooking, so experiment with each type of oil until you find the method that works best for you. You might even find that replacing some fats with certain oils makes it so much easier to cook!
