Relatively recent studies have debunked old myths that low-fat diets are healthy. Now, we all know that we have to consume healthy fats for a healthy life. But, many are confused when it comes to which fats are good and which are harmful. In this article, we’ll talk about the top 5 healthiest cooking oils, according to dieticians.
Top 5 Healthiest Cooking Oils
Avocado Oil
Avocados are among the healthiest foods in the world. They are rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acid that’s renowned for its beneficial effects on the circulatory system and brain functions, as well.
Besides, avocados contain Vitamin E, which is an excellent antioxidant. Nonetheless, since avocado cooking oil is healthy unsaturated fats, it also has a higher smoke point, meaning that you can use it for frying.
Extra-virgin Olive Oil
Among the healthiest cooking oils in the world, there is the extra-virgin olive oil. It is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. It contains omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids, along with Vitamin E, Vitamin K, potassium, and many flavonoids.
However, the extra-virgin olive oil doesn’t have a high smoke point as the avocado oil, for example. That’s why dieticians recommend us to use olive oil only for roasting or stewing, not for frying.
Hazelnut Oil
Even though it’s not commonly used by many, hazelnut oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils, as well. Hazelnut oil is rich in monosaturated fats and Vitamin E, as well as in other healthy fats and antioxidants.
Thanks to its high content in monosaturated fats, hazelnut oil has a high smoke point, just like the avocado oil. That means you can use it for frying, too.
Canola Oil
People frequently ignore canola oil because it’s cheap and often used in as cooking oil for unhealthy foods. In reality, canola oil mostly contains unsaturated fats so that you can use it for high-heat cooking and frying.
It is rich in healthy fats, as well as in Vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, and Vitamin A. It contributes to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, as it lowers “bad” cholesterol.
Algae Oil
As per dietician, algae oil is also one of the healthiest cooking oils in the market. “Algae oil contains lots of antioxidants and has a high smoke point,” said Lakatos Shames, a nutritionist. It is not commonly used in cooking because it’s quite new in the market and is also expensive.
But, as one of the healthiest cooking oils out there, you should try including algae oil in your menu, undoubtedly.