Saffola as a brand has always been associated with a heart healthy positioning. While it is true that cardiovascular diseases are on the rise, and heart problems are increasing even among the relatively young, a better lifestyle can help prevent this. Exercise must be a part of our daily routine along with eating nutritionally balanced freshly prepared food using local ingredients. Keep your alcohol consumption and smoking down for better health.
It is also important to use healthy oil while cooking. Do not cut out oil from your diet because you need 30% of your daily calories to come from fat. Fats also help in absorption of vital vitamins like Vitamin K, A, E and D. PUFA and MUFA – Polyunsaturated fatty acids and Monounsaturated fatty acids are considered to be healthier for the heart driving away the bad cholesterol LDL and increasing HDL, the good cholesterol. Oils must not be overly refined or hydrogenated in order to ensure that they retain their health benefits. Also frying which is an integral part of Indian cooking must be done with oils that do not break down easily at higher temperatures like olive oil. You must also remember not to reuse oil used for frying as it may be not fit for consumption.
Saffola Total is the new oil that has been launched in the “Healthy Heart” space. The oil promises the following health benefits:
High antioxidants: Saffola Total promises twice the antioxidant power as compared to Olive oil. And being a blend of oils, it is stable at higher temperatures as compared to olive oil. Antioxidants help repair cell damage in the body due to the presence of free radicals. Free radicals are produced when oxidative processes take place in the body like breaking down of food into energy. These free radicals can have damaging effects on our bodies compounded by the unhealthy lifestyles, stress, bad eating habits, sedentary living and smoking and alcohol consumption. Antioxidants help in reducing LDL and also in repairing cell damage. Saffola Total with high antioxidants helps do the same and enhance your health. It is also stable at high temperatures.
Multiple oils: Saffola Total is a blend of Safflower and Rice bran oils. A blend of oils is often considered healthier as it contains the benefits from different oils. Saffola Total is light and mild in flavor thus suited for all modes of cooking including frying and baking. The oil also does not turn rancid easily and stays fresh longer even when unused. Multiple seed oils are considered to be better than single seed oil as per the National Institute of Nutrition.
Low absorption: Saffola Total has the Losorb technology that helps less oil to be absorbed in food. This makes your food less greasy and healthier as well.
Brand promise: Saffola has worked hard in the space of healthy heart and promises innovative products to supplement healthy lifestyle habits. The Saffola name stands tall in its promise of quality products with believable claims.
Given all these benefits, Saffola Total seems to be a great choice now available to Indian kitchens for healthy cooking.
Despite everything, remember that oil is a fat and give 9 Calories per gram, hence keep your oil consumption in check and cook with healthy oil. Also restrict activities like frying to occasional treats.
Found this to be quite interesting. Just last week a friend was talking to me about Olive oil. How Indians misconstrue the usage of the oil.. that when it is subject to high levels of heat it loses its value.. it is best used for dressings and light cooking… but we dont realize that and proudly announce to the world that we use olive oil in our cooking…
You are right, Seeta! When it comes to matters of health, little knowledge is a very dangerous thing :). I know of a family which exclusively uses olive oil for cooking because it is healthy. And they fry stuff everyday. Now, how does one even begin telling them what they are doing. Indeed, I love using olive oil especially EVOO in my salads and olive oil in pastas etc. where minimal cooking is needed. For the rest, our Indian oils are excellent. Thanks for reading!
When people talk about Saffola, Health part of it is taken as understood. At least for me, it has been like that. I’ve been using Saffola from ages now; I don’t recall using any other brand of oil for cooking purposes. Great review by the way!
Thanks Kate! Yes, I have been using Saffola for a while, never any complaints there. Thanks for reading!
Rachna,
Visiting after a long gap. Read 4 posts. What you say about bringing up children is so true. We need to make them understand right from wrong logically using age appropriate language. I have seen a lot of young children going astray as parents do not have time to interact with them. You are right it is only when you spend time with family without any distractions that you know value of family bonding. I may sound male chauvinist but there is no denial from established natural fact that women are better equipped to bring up children or take care of home. Not that husband should just sit back, he too must lend as much support as he can. Every girl is not lucky to have luxury of working from home but it is upto each individual to decide when to leave child in care of someone and go out for work. Unfortunately today’s girls do not realise the benefits of having f i l and m i l with them as grandparents will surely take care of small child as it is known that interest is dearer than capital. Thanks for such good information in this post.
Take care
Thank you so much, Jack! Happy that you found time to read so many posts at a go. I do agree with your viewpoint. But there are times when the grandparents do not wish to live with you. I think it is only fair that they live on their own will. Besides, children are always the responsibility of the parents first and foremost.
Conventional materials may tend to oxidize or deteriorate when exposed to temperature.
The truth is, there are MANY variables that affect this decision, not the least
of which is just how much trust you put in a synthetic oil to
offer enhanced protection and possibly extended oil drains.
Longer oil life – Enhanced thermal and oxidation stability which saves money
by using less oil, less downtime, and longer filter life.