I am totally lost on what are and are not healthy cooking oils.

[rhett o rick]

This article is promoting Coconut Oil.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/22/coconut-oil-and-saturated-fats-can-make-you-healthy.aspx

"There is only one oil that is stable enough to resist mild heat-induced damage, while it also helps you promote heart health and even supports weight loss and thyroid function -- coconut oil.

So, whenever you need an oil to cook with, use coconut oil instead of butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, margarine, or any other type of oil called for in recipes. Even though I don't fully recommend frying foods, if you must fry, by all means use coconut oil -- it's your smartest choice."

[cbayer]

1. I love coconut oil, but the rather intense flavor prevents me from using it in a lot

of things.

I am also confused at times, so I pretty much stick to a good olive oil and use canola if I want no taste whatsoever or need a large amount for frying.

[Lucinda]

2. There are brands with very little flavor

Some of those do have a fragrance though...just no taste.

[The empressof all]

3. I go pretty much oil free as much as possible

But then again I don't cook as much as I use to either. I tend to believe that fats used minimally should be enjoyed. So if on the rare occasion I make fried chicken I use the best flavored oil for that which is Peanut IMO. I use Olive Oil if I want an Oil in my dressing and use a Misto Can to spray Olive Oil in saute pans when browning onions or other veg. I tend to bake no fat using apple sauce or yogurt replacements. I don't feel like I'm missing much. My one major investment in minimizing the oil is that I purchased an Actifry...(google it) It makes real french fries with just a tablespoon of oil and yes...They are really really good. It also makes amazing chickenwings. It's a pricey gadget but one that we use several times a week and has totally justified the cost for us. I got mine at Costco for far less than it's offered at Bed Bath and Beyond ...You just have to look around. It's one of those tools that is up there with my Cuisinart and Vitamix on the Kitchen Counter. Can't say enough good things about it for recreating "fried" flavor without all the fat. It also does a bang up job on browning meat for stews and chilis. Saves a lot of time and you don't need to stand over the stove.

[rhett o rick]

4. Thank you for the input. I use extra virgin olive oil because I thought

it was the best. Now I read that it isnt good for frying. Not stable. Ok for caprese or salads.

[grasswire]

5. I really don't like the taste or smell of overheated EVOO.

So I rarely use it in anything that's cooking although I might add some to the pan after the cooking is over. Reheated pasta and sauce, for example. I'll drizzle some in the pan before serving the dish, just for the Mediterranean health benefits of OO.

[Warpy]

6. Mercola is a QUACK

Unsaturated oils like peanut, safflower, and canola are best for high heat cooking. They have high smoke points and don't contribute appreciably to arterial nasties.

It's trans fats like solid vegetable shortenings and margarines and baked goods with long shelf life that you need to steer clear of. Studies have found that trans fats are worse than butter--a stick of pure cholesterol--at clogging arteries.

Coconut oil is a big fad these days, with faddist claiming it cures everything from cancer to flat feet. If you like the flavor, do use it in cooking. Take anything Mercola says about it with a pound of salt, though.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Agreed-- I have peanut, canola, and olive oils around, but I ...

experimented with things like grapeseed oil, which ended up having no point. If it's unsaturated oil, it's OK-- the fads be damned.

Gallon jug of canola I got on sale in case I have the urge to deep fry something, smaller bottle of olive oil for general use in lower heat, and I get those jars of peanut butter with the oil on top. I pour the oil off into another jar to keep handy for stir frying.

Butter and bacon drippings do have their uses, though, although I try not to use too much.

[Aerows]

11. I like peanut oil

for frying. But yeah, there are some that go on and on about this ingredient over the other like it will cure cancer, give you a sixth sense, and turn you into a model.

[gkhouston]

7. Don't take health advice from Mercola.

We always use either olive oil or canola oil if it's a situation where we want to use oil instead of butter.

[Lucinda]

9. I cook with butter & olive oil and coconut oil. Bill likes canola. I really, really don't.

You can get milder coconut oils which don't really add flavor, but I use a stronger coconut product. I like the flavor and fragrance.

Most sauteing is a mix of butter and olive for me. My eggs are done in butter.

[bif]

10. I always heard that the tropical oils were bad for you!