There are a lot of confusing nutrition topics out there, butcooking oilsare near the top of the list.

What is canola oil?

Let’s start withcanola oil.

Lindsay Boyers

That sounds simple enough, but there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to get there.

But the benefits pretty much end there.

What about vegetable oil?

That being said, when referring to “vegetable oil,” people most often mean soybean oil.

So, which is the healthier option?

To put it into perspective,studies1show that the ideal ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s is 2:1.

Aside from that, canola oil is one of theleast healthy oilsfor other reasons.

Substitutes for canola or vegetable oil.

So, what oil should you use instead?

According to Poon, it largely depends on what you’re doing with it.

Instead, skip them both and make more nutritious swaps, if you’re able.