Saturated versus Unsaturated Fat Saturated and unsaturated describe the fatty acids found in triglycerides. If a fat is solid at room temperature, such as shortening or the fat found in meat, it contains a large portion of saturated fatty acids. If the fat is a liquid at room temperature, such as peanut oil or sunflower seed oil, it has a large portion of unsaturated fatty acids. Exceptions to this rule are coconut oil and palm kernel oil, both of which are liquid to semiliquid yet are high in saturated fatty acids. Canola Oil Canola oil is a fairly new, highly unsaturated oil.
Some researchers believe canola oil to be very beneficial to health.
Canola oil comes from a genetically modified relative of the mustard family called low-erucic acid rapeseed. Compared with traditional rapeseed oil, canola oil has less than 2 percent erucic acid, a fatty acid that can be harmful to health. Choose lean cuts of beef, such as flank and round steak. Use lowfat or nonfat dairy products. Bake, broil, or microwave instead of frying foods.