Which is the healthiest oil to cook with?

[Abitcomplex]

I've been using extra virgin olive oil for a long time, but have been using rapeseed oil recently. I use low calorie spray oil every now and again too.

Was wondering, as I am starting a healthy eating regime, if there are healthier oils than these?

I don't deep fry, just shallow fry, and use oil in the oven with Mediterranean veg, wedges and roast potatoes.

Anybody? MTIA

Coconut oil, I believe - although it's not the easiest to find. And it can be very expensive, because it's a bit 'trendy' at the moment. Look for the KTC brand in the World Foods section.

Coconut oil is not healthy it is a myth bought about by someone who was selling it on the internet and was told to withdraw their claims

here is the new zealand heart foundations position statement

Here is the evidence paper

I'd say coconut oil too. also,its very versatile.

and lol at new Zealand advocating LOW FAT DAIRY!! lol,yes,lets eat low fat/HIGH SUGAR instead

Apparently it's coconut oil, but I find everything then tastes coconutty. I quite like coconut, but prefer my roast potatoes to taste like roast potatoes

It doesnt say the 26point2mile, read the evidence paper.

Thanks for your replies

Tbh I was a little surprised at the mention of coconut oil, due to a friend being advised not to use it after a heart attack.

When using it for cooking, does it lose the 'badness' (for want of a better word) when heated? Sorry, not read the link.

reduced fat dairy, and healthy oils is recommended for heart health.

I imagined it then....first link

We moved from olive to rapeseed after reading about rapeseed not changing as it heats, and therefore being a bit transfatty. I'm a bit hazy on it and a bit ashamed of myself for that!

lets eat low fat/HIGH SUGAR instead hmm
it doesnt say high sugar

You obviously have been fooled into believing that coconut oil is good for you. Its a con, so please show evidence that it is good for you. Websites such as mercola, natural news etc are not evidence.

I use sunflower only (as recommend by my nurse specialist for MS) but baby-growing-in-me brain makes me forget why in particular.

But just a little brushed on the pan/wok etc.

If it's meat tend not to use.

but it all falls down when I make roasters...... hee hee

We also use butter and goose/duck fat a lot actually. Rapeseed is for frying eggs etc. when a light oil is easier.

well when they remove the fat what do you think replaces it to make it palatable to us humans?

I've not been 'fooled' into anything lol.i don't need to 'please show the evidence that it is good for you' op is looking for something healthier to use than rapeseed oil!!

Why are you recommending coconut oil if you havent been conned. Last time i looked at olive oil it didnt have suger added. OP asked for a healthier option to rapeseed and olive oil and you came up with coconut oil, there is no evidence whatsoever that coconut oil is healthier, full stop. If you are fool enough to pay ridiculous prices for a cooking oil, that is your problem, but dont go recommending it as a "healthier option" when it isnt.

The thing is though, there's an increasing body of evidence to show that saturated fats (in general) are not the enemy we've been told that they are. So that would also presumably apply to coconut oil, which is a saturated fat?

And the research was conducted by someone who has clients who work in the food oil industry, making and processing other oils for cooking, but not coconut oil. So he's not exactly unbiased.

I believe coconut oil is better than olive oil for frying etc as it has a higher smoking point?

It was for the Heart Association, and all the Heart associations (Australia, UK, America, New Zealand etc )basically say the same thing, that there is no evidence that coconut oil is healthier than other oils etc. The only people claim coconut oil as being a healthier option are those that are marketing it.

I'll recommend what I like bruffin you aren't an authority on anything

As I said, I like it, it's versatile and yes, as BIWI says....it's not the enemy!! Notice you didn't actually recommend anything for the op.... MN seems to be full of odd posters at the moment

And the people who claim it isn't actually have a vested interest in promoting other oils ...

Im not an odd poster, i have been here for many years
You recommended something that supposed to be healthy without any evidence, and couldnt even be bothered to read the evidence. Im not an authority, i never said I was, but i was prepared to back up something i said, whereas you couldnt even be bothered to read it. If OP had read the link i gave there was recommendations on which are healthy oils to use ie rapeseed, olive oil and avocado.

Thanks all

I have now read the link, thanks bruffin, (should have read it earlier, sorry. It is very informative btw) looks like I'm ok after all with the rapeseed and olive oil.

The healthiest oils depend a lot on what you're planning to do with them. Burning any oil removes a lot of the health properties. For cooking at high heat, use a natural oil with a high flashpoint such as avocado, groundnut or rapeseed. At a moderate heat you can use blended olive oils. If you're really just gently warming something through in a little oil you can go with a virgin olive oil. For cold applications such as dressing try sesame, pumpkin seed, EVOO, walnut etc.

A variety of oils is healthier than using one in isolation

From what I've read coconut oil is the healthiest all rounder, but it's a strong taste for general use. I like to use extra virgin olive oil, clarified butter and unsalted butter and keep coconut oil for asian dishes.