Healthy Cooking Oil
People start thinking about nutrition, meal prepping, macronutrient recommendations etc one of the last things considered is the type of oils, seasonings, dressings, and condiments on your food. If you want to start making better decisions in regards to your food intake, one strategy is picking better/healthier oils to prepare your food with.
First, let’s discuss the oils that you should avoid:
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Canola Oil aka Rapeseed Oil
- Corn Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Rice Oil
- Safflower Oil
Why should we avoid these oils?
Very simply put – there are better choices that do not have negative side effects. Studies are coming out like this one. The test showed how rats health is impacted after getting these oils placed into their diets. Even introducing these oils 20% of the time led to negative consequences to the mitochondria, a decrease of repair mechanisms, and a reduced cardiac output.(probably a good indication that they have negative human reactions as well). These negative outcomes came about in just 4 weeks of exposure to the rats.
Beyond the study above, there are other negatives of using vegetable oils
The oils listed previously are produced in processes that utilize high heat levels; the exact opposite of producing olive oil for example. “Cold pressing or first pressed” ensures you are getting the highest quality of olive oil without the high heat and added chemical exposure.
Healthy Cooking Oil Choices:
Better choice oils are natural oils that have been used for generations. These oils are a healthier fat. The way the oils are produced helps to ensure these oils aren’t contaminated with chemicals. These oils include:
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Coconut Oil
Changes to your diet and nutrition take time. The changes you make don’t have to be 100% from the start. However, changes in cooking oils at home is an easy change. Start by getting rid of the oils that are not healthy. Second, find some alternatives to those cooking oils. Third, start using the replacements in your cooking. Finally, feel better that you aren’t introducing harmful chemicals into your diet.
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