Polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils are often called the good fats because small amounts may actually helps to reduce cholesterol levels.

42-16246844.jpg
© J.Garcia/photocuisine/Corbis

Canola oil, peanut oil and olive oil are monounsaturated oils, there are preferred because they lower bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) without lowering good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Whereas soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and sesame oil are polyunsaturated oil, polyunsaturated fats tend to lower both bad and good cholesterol.