Cooking Oils: Test Your Oil IQ

Oils are naturally found in certain foods and are commonly used in cooking, baking and frying. Some are used as flavoring and even in place of butter for dipping bread. Certain oils are better for cooking than others based on the amount of heat they can withstand, also referred to as oil's smoke point. All oils contain fat and calories, but with so many oils to choose from, it can be hard to decipher which oils are best for each purpose and which ones are the most heart and kidney healthy.

Canola oil is made from the seeds of rape plants (rapeseed). It does not contain phosphorus or potassium and is heart-healthy because of its high content of MUFAs and polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), making it very rich in omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 are types of fatty acids, meaning we cannot make them on our own and we need to get them from diet. We need omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids for many reasons, from building healthy cells to keeping brain and nerve function. This oil has a mild flavor and a higher smoke point (400 °F). As such, it is often used for sautéing at higher heat, cooking and baking. This oil is also low in saturated fat.

Peanut oil is made from peanuts and can have a slightly "nutty" flavor. It is very rich in omega-6 fatty acids. In just one tablespoon, this oil has 4,321 mg of omega-6 fatty acids. It also has a very high smoke point (437 °F) which makes it ideal for frying foods and using in stir fry dishes.

Flaxseed oil, sometimes referred to as linseed oil, can easily become rancid so it is usually stored in the refrigerator. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, this oil is another good choice to use in your diet. With a low smoke point (225 °F), it is not usually used in cooking. This oil can be used for salad dressing, steamed vegetables, or when cooking rice. It is also sometimes found in margarine.

Corn oil is a less expensive oil with a very high smoke point (450 °F) that makes it an ideal frying oil. For this reason, many fast food chains use this oil for their French fries. It contains a high amount of saturated fat and 7,222 mg omega-6 fatty acids in one tablespoon. Corn oil is from the germ of maize (corn) and is sometimes found in margarine.

Coconut oil comes from the kernel or meat of ripe coconuts. It has a high amount of saturated fat which lets it have a long shelf life. However, a diet high in saturated fat increases your risk of developing heart disease. It has a moderate smoke point (350 °F) and is often used in cooking.

Cottonseed oil is made from the seed of cotton plants. It has a high amount of saturated fat, which is an unhealthy fat, and is often used in salad dressings and mayonnaise. Read food ingredient labels carefully to avoid this oil. This oil has a higher smoke point (420 °F) and mild flavor.