are you cooking with the right oil?

do you ever wonder why there’s so many oil options at the grocery store? the answers honestly pretty simple, they all do different things and serve different purposes. however, the real question is, are they all healthy for you..

canola oil

While it’s cheap, accessible, and tempting to use for all things deep-frying, it’s toxic and an inflammatory oil. That’s because most canola oils you see in stores are chemically extracted using a solvent called hexane. Heat is applied during this extraction process, which reduces the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fats. The heat applied results in trans fatty acids. which have been linked to negative effects on cholesterol and increased risk of cancer when ingested in large amounts.

fun fact, Canola oil comes from a particular type of rapeseed plant. it was developed in Canada. Hence, the name canola—aka Canada Oil.

Extra virgin olive oil

everyone’s personal favorite. truth be told extra virgin Olive oil is our friend. in its purest form it’s packed with healthy fatty acids and age-reversing polyphenols, aka powerful antioxidants. It’s perfect for drizzling over soups, potatoes, salads, options are endless truly.

There have been many claims that extra virgin olive oil doesn’t hold up at high cooking temps, but those claims have been shot down numerous times. It’s also chemically safe to consume after heating, but you may lose some of its antioxidant content.

Avocado Oil

Not only does this oil have a mostly neutral flavor that is great for frying, roasting, or baking, but it also has the highest smoke point of all oils (480-500º F), making it the safest oil for high-heat cooking.

It’s a great source of vitamin E and other fat-soluble vitamins. some which help reduce inflammation and monounsaturated fats that support heart health and glucose management.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a special structure of fatty acids with high levels of lauric acid. which can help in insulin resistance. This makes it super resistant to oxidation, which can happen to other oils at high heat, thus turning toxic and no longer healthy to ingest.

Ghee

Clarified butter, aka ghee - also has an incredibly high smoke point, almost identical with avocado oil. It naturally takes on a more liquid form, making it easy to spoon out and spread. it doesn’t burn as easily as a regular butter would. however, it’s definitely the best substitute if you’re looking for that butter flavor.

Sesame Oil

While this oil has a more distinct flavor (delicious) it’s another healthy, high-smoke-point cooking oil. It’s high in antioxidants and effective in reducing inflammation, as well as regulating blood sugar levels. It’s super delicious for stir-frying veggies.

ps: be careful when purchasing cooking sprays. don’t get us wrong, we love an easy and convenient product. Unfortunately, a lot of oil sprays contain harmful fillers and things like propane and butane and personally we try to avoid any aerosol product when possible.

If only all these oils could be beneficial sources of fat. Cooking would be a cinch!