CookSmart (3rd Issue) Page12

Feature Article

Cooking Oil

Eat less, but not Oil-free

Cooking oil, such as corn oil and margarine, is the major dietary source of fats. One of the principles for healthy eating is to reduce the amount of fat intake and to keep a low-fat diet. Yet eating a low-fat diet does not necessarily mean zero fat intake because fats are essential in maintaining good health. The functions of body fat are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1: Functions of Body Fat

• Fat serves as the storage substance for the body's extra energy.
• Fat helps to maintain body temperature.
• Fat provides support and protection to the internal organs.
• Fat helps the body absorb and move the vitamins A, D, E and K through the bloodstream.
• Fat is an important ingredient for producing cholesterol, bile acids and hormones.

It is important to include healthy cooking oils in our diet. What are healthy oils? Let's learn more about fatty acids before making any choice!