Good fat/oil v bad fat/oil

[Brumington]

Hi everyone.
Since getting my TMX and after recently having my sister go through the ordeal of a breast cancer diagnosis I have really tried to turn my life around and eat and drink healthily (not only for myself and my husband but also my young boys).  I was never a huge package food person and I have always made food for the boys from scratch. I spend hours researching what I can be doing better with our diet which I do consider to be healthy in comparison to most. 
However, despite this huge amount of research I am still at a complete loss as to what is healthy/unhealthy when it comes to oils and fats. I was under the impression that butter was better than marg so made the direct switch only to read that the saturated fat is the biggest problem.  I believed coconut oil to be the super fat until I read on one site that it was to be avoided due to its very high saturated fat content. I thought canola oil was reeeaaaallllly bad until it appeared as one of the preferred oils.... The only thing I can be sure of is that whatever I read olive oil seems to get top marks. I know though that we can't heat olive oil to a high temperature. So what would I use instead? Is rice bran oil ok?
I make my own butter now and make it spreadable from the fridge by adding my own oil. At the moment I am using up my rice bran oil but have now been given the impression it is one of the bad ones. I don't want to use olive oil as it is too strong in flavour and I don't like the taste it gives. What is a good, healthy, flavourless oil I could use?
Does anybody have the low down for me as to what is good and what isn't or could they point me to a website that might be able to tell me? It seems there is so much contradictory information. If I know what oils to avoid at all costs and what is a healthier alternative I'd be happy!
TIA

[cookie1]

I will have my say but I am sure many will disagree with me.
A fat is a fat or oil no matter what. In our family we have to be very aware of cholesterol so I use margarine which doesn't have it. It may be fake but it is for our health. I use olive oil where possible but always try to reduce it.
I use rice bran oil if I want to heat it to a high temperature. Eg stir fries.
I don't deep or shallow fry as we try to watch our fat intake.

I'm sure that isn't really helpful to you. I think you will be able to read up on it and then make the best decisions for your families circumstances.

[achookwoman]

B   I read everything I can get my hands on,  and am just as confused as you.  I use a little butter. olive oil and rice bran oil.

[Jamberie]

I always look at the Dietitians Association of Australia for nutritional info as a good place to start... Here's what they say about fats...
http://daa.asn.au/?page_id=799

[judydawn]

I heard something the other day to add to the confusion too.  They say olive oil is great for using on salads etc but if you are going to heat it you may as well save some money and use vegetable oil.  I found this online which will explain it better than I can.

[Jamberie]

Yes,  I've heard that too Judy.... It's all too much information sometimes!

[BeezeeBee]

Yes, very very confusing indeed. Too much conflicting info out there. Makes it really hard to make good choices for the family most times.

I remember years ago we were told eggs were bad. Then eggs were good. Thank goodness for that cos I like eggs

Now I'm using canola oil or rice bran oil for the bulk of my cooking, depending on which goes on special. Hope they are on the good list.

[*suzanne*]

yeah too confusing I was reading on a fb page some people were saying that rice bran oil isn't good and here I was thinking it was one of the better ones plus it's what I use the majority of the time ) who knows but it will be interesting to see

[droverjess]

This is the book you need to read, it explains everything clearly.

Know your fats by Mary Enig

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?index=blended&keywords=know%20your%20fats%20by%20mary%20enig&tag=lpo_ixdpamusukengl_book-21

A genuinely researched science book. It is however text boook price, but we thought it was worth it. .We have a copy.
Available on UK and USA Amazon, probably on AU too but haven't checked.

We have good cholesterol levels and low BP.
Hope this helps
X

[Cuilidh]

This is really the most confusing subject because of all the conflicting ideas - which seem to change fitrvyion completely every couple of years.  It is like one of those old "one armed bandit" games, with us being the ball being shot about all over the board at the whim of the current trend in thinking. 

I changed from butter to margarine back to butter.  I stopped using canola oil but now use it a little once more ... I think, so long as you are careful with your consumption of which ever oil or fat you use it should be fine, with the exception of those who have intolerances or cholestrol, etc. that needs to be monitored.  My current disappointment is with coconut products which were fabulous last week, but this week I read that they are BAAAAADDD!

Edit:  fitrvyion ... sorry all, I have no idea what this is meant to mean!

[Emme]

Don't want to create more confusion but heard Dr Paul Beaumont (eye specialist) on talk back radio some time back and since that interview have not used Canola or most veg. oil.  I use butter also.
There is so much conflicting advice out there you don't know what to believe but he treats people for Macular degeneration. I have found this

[goldfish]

That's very interesting Marie... I only use olive and rice bran oils and butter. I do find canola quite scary and even tend to avoid products that has it as an ingredient...

[obbie]

I use olive oil, EVOO, and rice bran oil for higher temperatures.

[Mama Fergie]

I use light olive oil for frying and sautéing, EVOO for salads and butter on sandwiches etc.
I have other oils  for different purposes but the above for everyday use.

[Jude59]

We use as natural fat as possible. Butter for baking, spreading, sauces etc, ghee and coconut oil for frying or roasting, olive oil for salad and marinated veg etc. I really don't know what oil to use for frying or baking or mayo purposes.  Was using grapeseed oil but apparently its not good.  At the moment I'm using good quality peanut oil as it seems to be ok. But who knows.  I bought the dehydrator to make my own semi dried tomatoes because it was very hard to buy tomatoes in oil that didnt include canola or "vegetable oil" which can be anything.