What are Oils?

What are oils? One thing they are not is a food group, but they do provide some essential nutrients.  Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature. Oils are derived from many different plants and fish.  Some of the more common oils are corn, canola, olive, safflower and soybean. There are other oils used primarily as flavoring - like walnut  and sesame oils.

Some foods consist mainly of oils such as mayonnaise, some salad dressings and soft margarine.

How much oil should you consume?
Often you consume enough oil through the foods you eat such as nuts, fish and salad dressings.

 



Oils differ from solid fats in that solid fats contain more saturated fats and trans fats. Oils contain more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  The saturated and trans fats tend to raise LDL "bad" cholesterol.

Oils found in fish, nuts and vegetable oils do not raise LDL.  In addition to the essential fatty acids found in oils, oils provide Vitamin E.

Although consuming oils is part of a balanced diet, they contain calories. (About 120 calories per tablespoon) The amount of oil consumed should be limited to balance your daily calorie intake.  

For more information visit MMHD.