But is it!?
What are vegetable oils?
More and more evidence is coming out that vegetable oils are hazardous to our health. Vegetable oils are triglycerides extracted from a plant, most typically canola, sunflower, safflower, and corn. These vegetable oils cannot be extracted naturally but require lengthy chemical processes to not only separate the oil, but to make it pleasing to the human eye and mouth!
Whats the evidence they're bad news?
Wellness Mama has done an excellent article on the dangers of vegetable oils. I see no need in reinventing the wheel when someone has done, and shown, the hard research. Read it here and weep.
David Gillespie, author of Sweet Poison and Big Fat Lies, has just released a new book 'Toxic Oil' which delves deeper into the science behind the dangers of seed oils. I'm yet to read it but looking forward to it arriving on my doorstep sometime soon.
Do some research yourself too. I'm thoroughly convinced but don't take my word for it. Knowledge is power, use it!
But I've been told they're healthy?!
You're right, we have all been told that! In Australia, our ever-so trusty Australian Heart Foundation promotes margarine and other vegetable oils as 'healthy' for you. I wonder who funds them? Seed oils are incredibly cheap to produce and save lots of companies lots of money to make lots of people very sick. Sorry, it's true.
Ok, I'm tossing them..what do I use instead?!
Coconut oil is the bees knees. I'm telling you, this stuff will make you weak at the knees with love. I use it for everything. I cook with it, I practice oil pulling (that's another story for another day), I even put a spoonful in my coffee. Mmmm, delicious. You can get some from Loving Earth or Indah Organics, though you will find many options at your local organic/health foods store. They do sell them in major supermarkets - check the curry/Asia aisle.
Butter is also great if you eat dairy. Go for the organic, grass-fed options whenever you can. Westgold Butter is a grass-fed option. I noticed some butter on sale at my local Woolies not so long ago had 'vegetable oils' listed as part of its ingredients. Don't buy this! Check the labels! Ghee is also great, again go for organic and grass-fed. Lard is another option though I personally have limited experience using lard. I love to make sweet potato chips baked in butter or ghee - they crisp up perfectly!
Macadamia oils are also great for cooking.
Cold-pressed olive oils and avocado oils are great for raw meals, like salads or guacamole. Try not to cook with olive oil as they have a low smoke point, meaning they become toxic rather quickly.
Why I would never eat vegetable oil again..
The growing science is too much for me to ignore. Moreover, my philosophy is to 'Eat Real Food' that is food that is minimally processed and as close as possible to its natural state. Margarine is not food - it is a product! Vegetable oils are not food - they are products!
What are your thoughts?
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