In fact, according to a new study, it is a myth that regularly eating fried foods causes heart attacks. How can that be?

There is mounting research that it is the type of oil used in frying the food that really matters.

Researchers in Spain followed 40,000 people for 14 years and found the amount of oil they consumed made no significant difference in the incidence of heart disease.

However, in Spain, people tend to fry "fresh" in unsaturated olive or sunflower oil. The research, published in the British Medical Journal, is more evidence, dietitians say, that people should switch to healthier oils from saturated fats like butter, lard and palm oil.

Nevertheless, according to Dr. Holly Phillips on CBS This Morning, fried foods still contain more calories and are often loaded with salt. They have also been linked to high blood pressure and obesity.

Still, she said, "If you need a fried food fix, consider a switch to olive or sunflower oil - or just have dinner in Spain."

 From the April 3, 2012, Prepared Foods’ Daily News