Chicken breast is the healthiest cut from the animal. It is loaded with protein and low in calories and fat. Extra virgin olive oil is high in antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats.

Preparing baked goods with oil helps produce a moister, denser product but can add a significant amount of fat and calories. To lower the fat content in baked goods, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends substituting applesauce or prune puree for oil, shortening or lard in baked goods.

For safety and quality, use use fresh cooking oil each time you fry. However, if you deep-fry large amounts of food frequently, it is not always practical from an economic standpoint.

In actuality, there may be no difference between cold-pressed flaxseed oil and virgin flaxseed oil. The terms aren't mutually exclusive. You can purchase flaxseed oil products that are both cold pressed and virgin.

If you are looking for an alternative to cooking with lard or butter, consider trying cottonseed, sunflower or soybean oil. These versatile and healthy vegetable oils are derived from plants grown in different countries and climates.

Palm oil is a tropical oil that originates from the fruit of palm trees. This type of oil is rich in unhealthy saturated fats that can affect your cholesterol levels. Palm oil is a common ingredient in margarine and processed foods.

Since olive oil contains 100 calories per tablespoon, salad dressings that use it as a base are high in calories and fat. Oil helps dressing adhere to the salad ingredients and provides flavor and texture. To make salad dressing without oil, add low-calorie ingredients that have plenty of flavor.

Stroll the midway at any state fair, and it's clear that people love deep-fried foods. Deep frying makes food crispy, and the fat adds flavor along with crunch, but deep frying isn't the healthiest way to cook.

Vegetable oils supply energy-dense calories to your diet. They may also contain essential fatty acids and serve as a vehicle for absorption of fat soluble vitamins.

Sesame oil is safe for some babies and offers health benefits when included in a well-balanced diet. This type of oil has many uses and is easy to incorporate into your baby's meal plans. Sesame oil is most commonly used in Asian cuisine and can be found where cooking oils are sold at your supermarket.

Spaghetti alla carbonara is traditionally made with spaghetti; diced, cured meat such as prosciutto, ham or bacon; and an egg- and olive oil-based sauce with herbs and grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese.

French fries are a delicious and versatile side dish. They go great with everything and are easy to prepare. The only problem is that they are usually prepared using oil, which makes them high in fat and calories. To enjoy french fries without the guilt, prepare them without oil and bake them in the oven.