Fat: It's not always evil.

I heard this story on NPR two summers ago. It explains how different cooking methods for vegetables make for easier absorption of nutrients. The main study cited shows that salads served with dressings high in oil allows for better absorption of carotenoids, the antioxidants that give brightly-colored veggies their reputation for preventing cell damage and cancer. I was struck by how, despite the evil reputation that fat has, the dressings with more oil could be considered more nutritious. While nutritional needs are different for everyone, fat is essential in the human diet. Although high in calories, fat provides essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s) and allows for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). So the next time you are taking a bite of a cool, crispy, refreshing salad, try adding a little oil-based dressing. It tastes good and is surprisingly good for you.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106968683