Healthy Cooking Oils - Be Brave and Bloom

I’ve got information from nutritional professionals, about what are healthy cooking oils and which ones to avoid.

We’ve all been duped! For the last 100 years or so, we were led to believe that vegetable oil was heart healthy, while traditional fats like butter, lard, and coconut oil caused high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and eventually heart disease.

Spoiler alert. Vegetable oil is actually terrible for your health, however (drumroll) butter and bacon are good for you. Alleluia!

Keep reading for more of the back story, and for the 12 cooking oils that will make you healthier, and can replace the vegetable oil in your kitchen.

Yes, we were misinformed and mislead. The public was advised to avoid saturated fat and eat more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega 6 fats. The strategy was to make people feel bad about eating traditional fats, like butter or lard, and switch to vegetable oils. But, it was just a colossal marketing ploy by the vegetable oil industry. American advisory groups and even our own government’s dietary recommendations endorsed this message.

It’s pretty incredible to believe that people bought it. And some people still do! Our parents and possibly grandparents (depending on your age) were all convinced that vegetable oils were safe to use, heart-healthy and better for us than traditional saturated fats. This message is FALSE and it was never supported by research. Crazy. Train.

Vegetable Oil Can Hurt your Body

Truth is, vegetable oils are bad for you because they have very high levels of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). The human body’s fat make-up is about 97% saturated and monounsaturated fat. We must have fat for hormone production and rebuilding cells.

PUFAs are highly unstable and oxidize easily. Oxidized fats cause inflammation and mutation in cells. Oxidation can lead to all kinds of health concerns, including cancer, endometriosis, heart disease, and PCOS.

Refined oils can cause damage in the cells, weaken your bones, and lead to heart disease. They also have a negative effect on our brains, hair, skin, nails, hormones, and tissues.

Which Oils are bad for me? Which Oils are good for me?

Which Oils Should I Avoid?

This is the “bad list” Remember to avoid all hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils.

Canola Oil
Corn Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Crisco (and other similar vegetable spreads)
Margarine
Peanut Oil
Safflower Oil, refined
Soybean Oil
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Spreads

If you still have any of these oils in your pantry, stop using them for cooking or baking! You could try to put them to use for other, less harmful household duties, like oiling your cutting boards or your tools.

Which Oils are Safe to Use?

Here’s the good list. These oils are healthy and healing.
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Avocado Oil Chosen
Bacon Grease Applegate
Beef Tallow Epic
Butter, Grassfed Kerrygold
Coconut Oil Island Fresh
Ghee 4th & Heart
High Oleic Sunflower Oil Native
Lard Armour
Macadamia oil (use in moderation) Roland
Organic Olive oil (unrefined, cold-pressed and extra virgin ) Bragg
Palm Kernel Oil (from a sustainable source) Dr. Adorable
Safflower Oil (unrefined, cold-pressed or expeller-pressed) Hollywood

I now regularly buy Avocado, Coconut, and Olive Oil, from Amazon, Costco, or Trader Joe’s. If I’m feeling fancy occasionally I buy Ghee. These oils typically cover all of my cooking and baking needs but check out the list above for more ideas to suit your needs. Also, see the ideas above and below for reputable brands to try.

Why are these oils healthier?

These oils are stable and not damaged so they will not hurt the cells in your body. In fact, these are healthy and healing fats for your body.

The latest research shows healthy fats are good for us. Fats protect our organs and keep our body temperatures normal. It is essential for cell growth and maintenance. It’s important for building healthy, strong bones. Fat helps our brains, hair, skin, nails, hormones, and tissues stay healthy.

Get a free “Good Oil & Bad Oil” Shopping List

Download a shopping list to take to the store or hang in your kitchen. HERE

Now is the time to make your health a priority! Try this quick and easy change in your cooking. Remember one small decision at a time, over time can make it a healthy habit. 😉 Be sure to consult a qualified nutritionist for specific and personal recommendations.

What changes are you making for your health? Let me know in the comment box below.

xo,
Cindy

References

Maria Emmerich
mariamindbodyhealth.com

Nutritional Weight and Wellness
weightandwellness.com

Sally Fallon Morell
Nourishing Fats: Why We Need Animal Fats for Health and Happiness

For More Information

SHOP for info & resources to buy
RECIPES for more recipes
INSPIRATION for creative project ideas

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Be sure to consult a registered and licensed dietitian, licensed nutritionist, or certified nutrition specialist if you have questions about food choices and how they fit into your personal nutrition plan.