Canola Oil vs Vegetable Oil

Often people cut down on fat when trying to lose weight but getting enough, especially from heart healthy, unsaturated sources, is very important for weight control and health. There are a plethora of oils on the marketplace so what's the healthier oil to choose canola or a vegetable oil like olive oil.

Is Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil Healthier?

Both canola and olive oils contain monounsaturated fatty acids. These are the types that work to lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol and raise your HDL or “good” cholesterol. Olive oil is a richer source of these types of fats while canola oil contains slightly more polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are still heart healthy but may not affect your HDL cholesterol quite like the monounsaturated ones.

While it's important to have fat in your diet, vegetable oils and other sources are still high in calories and you need to control your portions so that you don’t overdo it. One tablespoon of oil, either canola or olive contains 120 calories and 14 grams of fat. Technically, that's considered about three fat servings so plan your meals accordingly.
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