The Good Oil

A well oiled machine!


Cooking oil is an essential ingredient in a wide variety of dishes. Some oil is healthy and should be included in our daily diet. There are many varieties including: olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, flaxseed oil and so on.


Olive oil is one of the healthiest and goes well with most Mediterranean dishes. Clinical research has shown that olive oil can promote heart health and assist in cholesterol regulation. Extra virgin oil is the most pure.

Flaxseed oil is rich in essential fatty acid which work throughout the body to protect cell membranes. Like omega 3 fish oil, this reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers cholesterol, improves hair and skin, reduces risk of cancer and balances hormones.

Sunflower oil is very low in saturated fat and high in vitamin E. It is also high in omega-6 fatty acids. It is often the oil of choice for snack foods such as chips.

Preferences for good health

Extra virgin olive for cooking

Cold-pressed unrefined vegetable oils such as sesame, sunflower, etc for salads

Oils low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat

Unhydrogenated margarine

Reduce high fat such as butter

Avoid trans fatty acids or hydrogenated oils :coconut oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil and palm oil.



Weight gain/loss

All oils have the same effect on weight.One gram of fat is equivalent to 9 calories.


Oil Storage

All oils whether refined or not are effected by exposure to light, heat and oxygen. Oil that is rancid loses the majority of its nutrients so it is best kept in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator. It may thicken if refrigerated but it should retain its liquid nature upon warming to room temperature.


Oils have different expiration dates. Refined oils can keep for well up to a year with the exception of olive oil which will keep for longer- even up to a few years. Oils high in polyunsaturated fats have shorter life spans keeping for about 6 months.



http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/cholesterol/cookingoil.html

Focus welcomes David Taplin

David joined Focus Psychology in May 2010 as a consulting psychologist with over 22 years experience. David shows warmth and genuine empathy in helping people to live their lives more fully. In addition to private practice, he has worked in hospitals, mental health services, schools and university services to assist people whose lives have been effected by anxiety, depression, grief or trauma.

David has a particular interest in fathering and working with men and boys to achieve healthier emotional lives and relationships. This male perspective in therapy is particularly evident in the success David achieves with adolescents and young men. David has also worked in Health Service and Education Management and consults with executives and managers to achieve better outcomes while maintaining good mental health.