There is no need to fear fat in our food. Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet and is involved in many parts of digestion and nutrition, from improving the taste of our food to providing us with a major source of energy to helping our bodies absorb vitamins to refereeing communication between cells in our body. Cooking oils are a source of dietary fat that many of us encounter every day.

This article on Food Insight, covers the basics of a few common cooking oils—including their uses, flavor profiles and health benefits—to help you find what works best in your kitchen.