Vegetable Oils

Vegetable Oils

1. They have a high energy content (provide lots)

2. They contain other nutrients. E.g. seed oils contain vitamin E

3. Contain essential fatty acids, used for metabolic processes

4. Tend to be unsaturated unlike animal fats

   • Ussaturated fats are less healthy
   • unsaturated = healthier as saturated fats increase the cholesterol in the blood, blocking up arteries and increasing heart disease risk

5. Natural unsaturated fats like olive/sunflower oil, reduce the amount of cholesterol. But due to the transfats, partially hydrogenated veg oil increases the cholesterol, so eating lots of these foods increases heart disease risk.

6. Cooking in food oil makes it more fattening