You’re not alone in thinking all fats are bad because we have been raised to believe that all kinds of fat is bad for your body. After all, don’t fatty foods contribute to obesity? The ultimate blame for the negative stigma for fats go to trans fats. Trans fats are extremely unhealthy, but there monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be quite beneficial to the body.

Avoid Trans Fats Like The Plague

Trans fats are so damaging to your body because it lowers the good cholesterol (HDL) while increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. This is exacerbated by the fact that trans fats increase the risk of heart-unrelated diseases. So the next question you probably have is why do foods contain trans fats if they are so unhealthy? The primary reason is to allow food to last longer. Trans fats are created when cooking oil like vegetable oils undergo a hydrogenation process. In the end, processed food is created which is not natural and unhealthy.

Unsaturated – The Good Fats

You’ve probably heard that eating fish and olive oil is healthy. This is due to the high levels of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats in them. These unsaturated fats are natural and are known to be good for the heart as it promoted good HDL cholesterol levels while reducing the bad LDL cholesterol in your body. For this reason, there is such a thing as good fats.

We’re a firm believer that a well balanced diet will lead to happier, healthier life versus the latest diet fads that come and go. Do you body a favor and give it the natural oils to promote good cholesterol levels and a healthier heart. Just remember that as with all things in life, moderation is key~

Keep Cooking Oil Away From Light And Heat

The biggest enemy to any cooking oil is sunlight and heat. The more natural the cooking oil is (i.e. olive oil or sesame oil), the more susceptible it is to damage if you store the oil exposed to sunlight and heat. The UV rays actively break down components within cooking oil that will deteriorate the fresh taste. Although you may be tempted to decorate your kitchen by storing olive oil in a pretty bottle by the window sill, if you plan to use it for cooking, store it properly in a cool, dark area like your cupboard.

Store Cooking Oil In Refrigerator

Although not necessary, storing cooking oil in the fridge may be better than your cupboard. If you live in a climate with high temperatures, storing your cooking oil in your refrigerator is recommended. Don’t worry if the cooking oil turns cloudy from the cool temperature. Once the temperature adjusts to room temp the cooking oil should go back to normal.

Throw Out Bad Cooking Oil

If your cooking oil tastes or smells bad, throw it out. Granted cooking oil will last a long time, it is just as susceptible to rancidity as normal food if it isn’t stored properly. In addition, if the cooking oil has been heated beyond its smoke point, you shouldn’t reuse the oil any more. This is due to the fact that the extreme temperature has broken down the oil to the point where free radicals are released. If you notice your cooking oil smoking, just throw it out since it is not healthy to use.