Several reviewers here seem to have this notion that canola oil is unhealthy. I don't know where a lot of this information comes from. Perhaps there may be some merit to them, but I know two very widely-trusted Websites that state the opposite. Wikipedia shows that canola is a source of Omega-3, the good kind of fat, and points out that the anti-canola E-mails that had been circulating is a hoax.

For more information, check these out:

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canola

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/canola.asp

With that, we all should weigh all of the sources at our benefit, and be smart enough to make our own decisions. For every good judgment we may believe we're making in regards to our health, there are bad ones, as well (such as someone eating no salt or red meat claiming it's for "health reasons", yet chain-smokes and/or abuses alcoholic beverages). Because of this, no one can rightfully claim perfect health. It's a vicious circle, sometimes, but everyone is different... that's why we each ultimately have to find what works for us, as individuals.

I, too, have tried canola oil. I honestly didn't think it was going to make my food taste very good, but it turns out I was mistaken.

I'd prefer olive - but I'm allergic - so Canola it is.

UPDATE:

Going to try to find an affordable source for coconut oil as per abichara's advice.

I've just started using canola oil. It's an inexpensive, healthier alternative to some of the other cooking oils, unless it might be olive oil, and that's good for sauteeing, and too expensive to use all of the time.

I have heard certified nutritionists highly recommend canola over many of the other oils. And as far as the flavor goes, I do not detect any aftertaste to it at all. It tastes no different than the vegetable oil that I had been using.

Its cheap, which is about all it has going for it. It is among the less healthy of the cooking oils, and adds a distinct and not over-pleasant aftertaste to most foods.

Use olive oil, flaxseed oil or coconut oil for cooking. These oils have plenty of healthy fats (Omega 3's) in them. They are also good for the circulatory system and the immune system in particular.

Canola oil is cheaper, but it also contains a lot of Omega 6, which triggers an inflammatory reaction in your body which could lead to heart disease, cancer and a host of other disorders.

As it stands. the American diet features way too Omega 6. We need to balance this out by consuming more healthy oils, especially Omega 3's, which you can find in the above stated products, as well as in fish.

An improved version of rape seed oil that has been bred to lower the level of eurucic acid to remove the bitter taste. Post consumer uses include biodiesel on Willie Nelson's bus.