Do you know the difference between good fat and bad fat? Fat comes in many forms; your body and brain need the healthy, smart fats. Knowing the difference -and acting on the knowledge- will make your life more enjoyable.
Avoid processed oils and trans-fat like the plague. Industrial processed and refined oils, like soybean, partially hydrogenated oil, cottonseed, corn, safflower, canola and sunflower are VERY inflammatory. Inflammation leads to higher cortisol and many other weight promoting and stressful events in the body. Most restaurants now cut costs by using an ‘olive oil blend’; this is canola oil highly inflammatory.
You can feel good about: butter or ghee, coconut oil, cold pressed olive oil, grape seed oil, Peanut Oil (High Oleic), Sesame Oil, walnut oil and a few more listed below.
Overheating a good oil can make it a bad oil because too much heat actually changes the molecular structure.
Here is a guide:
Very high heat oil – 400 degrees and higher
Avocado Oil
Coconut Oil
Grape seed Oil (Expeller Pressed)
Peanut Oil (High Oleic)
Sesame Oil
Medium heat oil – 350 or lower
Almond Oil
Butter or Ghee
Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
Peanut Oil (Expeller Pressed)
Walnut Oil (Naturally Refined Only)
Low heat oil – below 350 degrees
Hemp Oil Fish Oil
Flax seed Oil
Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
Although some of these may sound like exotic items, you can easily find them at sprouts or your favorite health food store. What’s your go-to cooking oil?
Also, check out ‘The Canola Oil Challenge’ on my Instagram (@vitalbearwellness) for a chance to win an awesome essential oils gift set.