Fat — the kind you eat as opposed to the kind on your body — is the focus of much debate. Is low fat the way to go? How much fat should you eat? Are there really "good fats"? Oil figures into this discussion because it gets all its calories from fat. By now nearly everyone knows that olive oil is high in the "good fats," although they may not realize just what that means (olive oil contains monounsaturated fat, which is known to lower LDL — bad — cholesterol without affecting HDL — good — cholesterol). The problem with olive oil, however, is that it has a distinctive flavor, and sometimes you want an oil with a little less personality. Enter grape seed oil. Not a lot of people know about grape seed oil yet, but because of its many great qualities, that's bound to change. It has a neutral flavor, which has been described as a bit nutty, or as having a light butter aftertaste. Because of its high smoke point, it's extremely stable and can be used for sautés and baking. It won't overpower salad dressings and marinades. And a little bit goes a long way — in general you only need about half the amount of grape seed oil as you would need of any other oil. And best of all, research has indicated that the linoleic acid found in grape seed oil both lowers LDL and raises HDL cholesterol. Plus it's rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants. You can't find a healthier, more versatile oil than grape seed oil. Used in moderation - the way any fat or oil should be used — grape seed oil is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet.