Let's Talk About Fats and Oils

Let’s get Oily

Let’s talk about oils. I have so many people asking me about which oils are good for us and which are bad, and there are still others who are surprised when I tell them vegetable oil is NOT GOOD for you! Seriously, I understand the confusion. There are so many oils out there to choose from these days. Let’s try to cut through some of that.

Vegetable oil is good because it’s made from vegetables, right? Not so! Unlike the oils and butter on the good list, these bad oils cannot be gathered naturally. They need to be removed chemically, deodorized, or altered in some way to get them. They’re all made from GMO or pesticide-sprayed crops. Even if they say they are organic, they are still processed harmfully. Let’s get right to it.

Here is the BAD LIST; vegetable oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, canola oil (or rapeseed oil), safflower oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, anything hydrogenated, shortening, and even margarine.

These oils all contain large amounts of Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which makes them very harmful to us. They contribute to causing inflammation throughout the entire body. These oils also contain huge amounts of trans fats, they can dramatically raise your risk of diseases like heart disease, asthma, eczema, depression, diabetes, and even cancer. Not to mention weight gain and insulin resistance.

There are two types of essential fatty acids we need that our bodies do not produce. They are Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The human body absolutely needs these fatty acids, which is why they are called “essential”. It’s really important to get them as balanced as we can. Fatty acids are fuel for our cell’s mitochondria, but they also serve vital functions throughout our body, such as rebuilding our cells, hormone production and the immune system. When these acids are not in balance, a lot can go wrong.

To put this generally, Omega-6’s is pro-inflammatory, while Omega-3’s is anti-inflammatory. The balance has to be there. The more Omega-6’s we consume, the more we need the Omega-3’s. Keep in mind though, our bodies still only need a small amount of good fats and oils in the full scale of things.

Here is the GOOD LIST; extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil (which contains medium-chain fatty acids), and avocado oil. These healthy fats are extracted by pressing. Other good Omega-3 fats include organic cream, avocados, grass-fed organic butter, fish and eggs.

Vegetable oils can be found in almost every processed food. It’s not enough to stop eating these processed foods like mayo, margarine, salad dressings and sauces, artificial cheeses, processed nuts and seeds, cakes, cookies, crackers, chips, and the like. We need to stop using these bad oils when we cook! I know what you’re thinking… ”But vegetable oil is so much cheaper than the oils on the good list.” Let me be honest here. You’re either going to pay a few extra dollars at the register now, or you’re going to be paying mega-high doctor and hospital bills later. Harsh reality, but true. There is good news though. Eating a diet of organic whole foods and organic grass-fed meats, without processed foods will naturally bring down the high consumption of Omega-6 fatty acids.

Eat quality sources of protein from grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, eggs, and poultry, and pasture-raised pork. These meats are naturally higher in omega-3’s than omega-6’s as compared to animals that come from those large CAFO farms. Eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables with as much fresh foods as possible; a variety is best. I find that when we eat more naturally, there is less need to count calories and such. Our bodies are smart and knows what we need. Happy cooking!

Revised 03/05/2024

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I am not a doctor, a chemist, nor a dermatologist. I am only a mom, sharing my opinion of life experiences and what I was taught in the AFPA certification program, who wants to provide a more natural and healthy lifestyle for my family and others. The information contained on the Honey Hill Naturals or blog websites is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other qualified health care practitioner. The information available on or through the Honey Hill Naturals newsletters, or (including, but not limited to, information that may be provided by writers, editors, healthcare and/or nutrition professionals employed by, or contracting with, Honey Hill Naturals and / or their associates), is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or prescribe medication. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements or ailments on any of the above sites or newsletters, may not have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America.