Question:
Whats the best oil?

I ask this because previously I had very dry skin, with flaking and itching along with severe constipation. Then I tried Atkins brownie mix. All the above problems stopped. I have been making these brownies with canola oil. But I started wondering if theres a better oil. The brownies are zero sugar, really yummy and chocolatey!! I figure the 1/3 cup oil in the mix helps these problems. Any thoughts? These arent zero calories so dont overdue it. Best price at superwallmart.    — bob-haller (posted on January 8, 2004)

January 8, 2004
Years ago, all I used to use was corn oil...then switched to vegetable oil when everyone else did...then to canola oil, again, when it was the trend. I know the head chef at a very prominent restaurant in Ann Arbor and recently asked him which was the best. He asked me what I use and I told him canola. His response was "Canola? Hmmm....what is a canola? Where does it come from? There is no vegetable, plant, or animal that is called a canola, so I would never use canola oil." He said for baking, to use vegetable or corn oil and, like most experts, uses olive oil for cooking meats and veggies, sauteing, etc. Hope this helps!
   — Lynette B.

January 8, 2004
I haven't tried the Atkins brownies, but I do keep oil in my diet for the same reasons that you have, Bob. I just use a multivitamin complete, no iron supplements and tend to get constipated, so I try to keep a decent amount of "lubrication" in my daily food intake. I have had good blood work as far as iron levels, so I am ok w/o additional supplements. Being post menopausal helps with this. I use olive oil and vegetable/corn oil when I cook, depending on what the item is, and use light mayo w/ my tuna and either a bit of butter or margarine when cooking eggs. I would say that I don't get nuts as as far as fat grams when reading labels, although I do count calories to get a ballpark figure of staying under 1200 per day. If using oil/fat does not place me above that mark, I don't get crazy. As I said, the oils keep me "going".
   — Fixnmyself

January 8, 2004
Olive Oil is FANASTIC for hair and dry skin! Try to eat 1 teaspoon a day. Either on a cracker or cooked in something...
   — Renee B.

January 9, 2004
I had read an article somewhere about, and have since tried, rice bran oil. It can be hard to find (and is a bit pricey), but it supposedly is twice as good for you as olive oil and it does have a much higher smoke point so it can be used for frying. As far as taste goes...it is very light and almost tastless...I use it for everything.
   — eaamc