Health Benefits

nutritionist eve schweichler answers:

Ghee is a great source of fat to include regularly in your diet, because it has many health benefits and is much safer to cook with than other cooking oils.

Ghee is composed mostly of saturated fats, which, contrary to popular belief, are a health promoting type of fat. They are used by our bodies to produce energy, feed and protect the brain, bones and vital organs, and transport important fat-soluble vitamins. Regular and moderate consumption of this type of fats encourages the body to burn excess fat and shed weight, and helps to keeps cholesterol in check.

Saturated fats are stable under heat, which makes them ideal for cooking. Unlike vegetable oils that go rancid when heated and become pro-inflammatory, ghee maintains its structure and nutritional value, providing vitamins while adding a delicious, rich flavour to meals. Most of the milk solids are removed, making ghee a safe solution for people who are lactose intolerant.

Grass-fed ghee is particularly rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, and contains higher amounts and a better ratio of omega-3 and 6 than conventional dairy products. Because toxins are also fat-soluble, it is important to consume organic ghee. Use up to 2 tbsp a day in cooking, baking or as a butter upgrade.

-Eve Schweichler, CNP (www.healthyroots.org)