[Blue Dolfin]

meeso - no question about it, we need fats in our diet. Problem is, prior to becoming health-conscious and balance-conscious, most of us overindulged in fats by consuming excesses of meat, dairy products and junk foods like chips and doughnuts and the fats in these foods are not always good for us even in small quantities. I disagree, though, that avoiding all cooking oil will do much good and might even be harmful. What we need is good quality fat. Macrobiotic counselors will tell you that whole foods contain enough fat, and they do... grains, beans, seeds, nuts and fishes contain fat... however your body is accustomed to having more fat and it is going to crave fat when you stop using oil in your cooking and don't eat fatty foods. If you can put up with this for a while you'll be OK but if the craving gets serious you may find yourself bingeing out of control on some fatty foods and it will be "two steps forward and three steps back" which in the long run will worsen the situation. I would rather see you take "three steps forward and two steps back" which is steady slow progress. Just be careful what kind of oil you use, stick with sesame if you can.

What I personally recommend is probably different from what your counselor says but if someone came to me with a non-life-threatening condition I would tell them to use the following oils (in this order of preference): sesame, rice bran, unrefined corn, grapeseed, sunflower, almond, extra virgin olive and peanut in small quantities (e.g. 2-3 tsps. per day total). Definitely avoid soybean oil, canola oil, cottonseed, palm, safflower and all hydogenated and partially hydrogenated fats, lard and butter for the time being.

Above all, make sure whatever oil you use is FRESH. Always store cooking oil in a cool, dark place and discard it the moment you notice the least bit of rancidity.

If you get to craving fat you will be much better off using a little more of the better quality oils than consuming any of the "no-no" fats. Try some wild salmon rather than going for a pork chop or cheeseburger. Make some tempura at home rather than going for McDonald's fries.