Oils
Butter is the Answer.
Why are Oils Harmful? They cause Inflammation, Mess with your Cells and are Hard for your body to Process. We want to give our body foods it knows what to do with, it has been designed to take foods and turn them into what our bodies NEED. Below is a list of Oils that are used by BigFood. Why do these companies use them even though the science tells us they are harmful? Because; They’re Cheap, they have along shelf life, and they work well.
The top 4 Oils on the list are the most common. They are very inexpensive to produce, especially when made from GMO crops. This helps companies save money and keep prices low and profits high. The Process for how these are Processed is very important in understanding why they are not good for us.
The Process looks like this:
Grown from GMO or Pesticide-Heavy crops.
Crushed and Ground (to get the oil out. but this doesn’t release much so they have to use chemicals)
Mixed with a Chemical Solvent ( a Chemical called Hexane, a toxic solvent, is added to pull more oil out of the seed)
Heated to Very High Temperatures ( this is to remove the solvent, but it also damages the oil making it Oxidize and lose nutrients)
Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized (to remove colour, strong smells and particles)
Most of these oils are made in a factory. They’re chemically extracted, damaged by heat and stripped of nutrients- and what’s left is cheap, unhealthy oil that goes into many processed foods.
These oils can also contribute to faster aging, both inside and out. How? Oxidized foods create Free Radicals. These are unstable molecules that attack your healthy cells. This damage is called Oxidative Stress and is a major factor in aging, causing; Wrinkles and Skin Damage, Memory Loss, Joint Pain and Chronic Diseases, that include Auto-Immune Diseases.
What does “Oxidize” Mean for Oils?
Oxidation happens when oil reacts with oxygen, light, or heat. This changes the structure of the fat, kind of like how a cut apple turns brown, or metal rusts.
What happens when Oil Oxidizes?
The fats break down and turn into harmful compounds, Including; Free Radicals (unstable molecules that damage your cells) and Toxic Byproducts ( linked to inflammation and disease)
Why is this Harmful to your Body?
Oxidized oils can damage your cells and tissues, they can cause inflammation and increate your risk of heart disease, cancer and signs of aging. They also hurt your gut health and immune system.
In short, Oxidized Oils are like spoiled fats. When you eat them, its like feeding your body BAD FUEL that can slowly hurt your heart, brain and overall health. So read the ingredients when making choices on fuel for your body.
***These Oils are most commonly found in Processed foods; baked goods, chips, snacks, sauces, frozen meals, mayonnaise, sauces, cookies, pies, etc.
1. Canola Oil (Partially Hydrogenated or Refined)
Why it's concerning: Often highly refined and may contain trans fats if partially hydrogenated. High in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation in excess.
2. Soybean Oil
Why it's concerning: Very high in omega-6 fatty acids; often genetically modified (GMO) and heavily processed. Linked to inflammation and oxidative stress.
3. Corn Oil
Why it's concerning: Also high in omega-6s, often comes from GMO crops, and usually refined using chemical solvents like hexane.
4. Palm Oil (especially Refined or Fractionated)
Why it's concerning: Though it has some saturated fat, refined versions are often highly processed and used in baked goods, snacks, and margarine.
5. Cottonseed Oil
Why it's concerning: Considered one of the least desirable oils due to pesticide residue and high omega-6 content. Often used in snacks and fried foods.
6. Sunflower Oil (Refined/High Oleic Types)
Why it's concerning: While it sounds healthy, refined versions used in processed foods can be stripped of nutrients and very high in omega-6.
7. Safflower Oil
Why it's concerning: Similar to sunflower oil, it’s high in omega-6 and often refined for shelf stability in packaged foods.
8. Margarine and Shortening (Hydrogenated Oils)
Why it's concerning: Contain trans fats or interesterified fats (newer types of processed fat), both of which may negatively affect heart health.
