Vegetable oils contain linolenic and other poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Although some of these can be synthesized in he body, linolenic acid which is required for growth and maintenance of normal skin, cannot be synthesized in the body.
Therefore, it has to be supplied in the diet and is termed essential fatty acid.
Therefore, it is necessary to include sufficient vegetable oils in the diet to meet body’s need of essential fatty acid.
Oils and fats are obtained from plants and animal source.
Vegetable oils include those extracted from groundnut sesame or gingelly, mustard, safflower, cotton seed, coconut and palm.
Butter and ghee are animal fats, extract from milk. These food source contribute visible fat in our dietary.
Foods which contain large amount of fat are the sources of hidden fat in the dietary.
These include nuts and oil seeds and animal foods such as milk eggs, fish and meat.
Food sources of oils and fats
