Are Oil Free Diets Healthy?

Oil or Fat Free Diets, may sound better as they promise to help you knock off weight quickly but to completely omit oil from your diet is not a good idea.
Oil, besides being high in calories (1 gm. of oil or fat = 9 calories) contains essential fatty acids, which are required to perform certain vital functions in your body. These fatty acids that are provided by oil in your diet and cannot be produced naturally by your body. If you do not consume the recommended amount of oil per day your body becomes deficient in these fatty acids causing visible symptoms like fatigue, weakness, mood swings, dry skin and dry hair. Oil also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K. Vitamins A and E are important in your daily diet as they are antioxidants and help you to build up your immune system to fight against infections. Vitamin D helps in strengthening your bones and teeth whereas vitamin K helps in clotting your blood during injuries. So be wary of 'zero oil diets', as they can be harmful.

Oil is a healthier cooking option as compared to saturated fats (ghee, butter etc.) but you need to use it sparingly. It is advisable for healthy individuals to consume no more than 6 teaspoons of oil (30 grams) per day and not more than 3 teaspoons of oil for persons who wish to lose weight.