Oils!

The dangers of canola and other hydrogenated oils are a heated (you'll get the joke in a minute!) subject these days. There is so much misinformation out there! Those big-wigs in the food industry use words like "low fat" and "no cholesterol" and "organic" to trick us into thinking certain things are healthy. Well, organic poison doesn't have cholesterol or fat in it either, and I'm not about to fry up some vegetables in that, catch my meaning?

Personally, I had never heard of a "canola" plant, so I checked into it. Turns out, "canola" is actually a made up word! This oil, which is deceivingly advertised as being good for us, is made from something called the rape seed, which doesn't sound particularly appetizing. Rape seed is a huge cash crop from Canada, hence the "can", and then they added the "ola" to signify the oil part. They don't include any words to let us know that the oil is heated to levels at which the molecules break down, causing it to become rancid, or the fact that this rancid flavor is masked by deodorizers. Hmm, how convenient!

• Canola depletes vitamin E.
• Canola increases the rigidity of membranes, which can trigger degenerative diseases.
• Because of canola's high sulfur content, it goes rancid easily, which can exacerbate allergies and compound problems for people with bronchial or asthmatic issues.
• Human studies reveal canola causes an increase in lung cancers.
• Canola can shorten lifespan of animals and lower platelet count.
• Daily canola consumption can raise your triglycerides over 40 percent.
• Canola oil molds quickly and also inhibits enzyme function.
• It opens the door for free radicals, undermining natural antioxidants, and can be linked to increased incidence of many diseases.
• Canola contains erucic acid, which is a fatty acid used to make lubricants, cosmetics, nylon, and polyester. Delicious!

So, keep your eyes peeled on your food labels! Canola and other bad oils (soybean, corn, peanut, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed) are hiding in so many packaged foods, since they are cheap to produce. Now that you know, you can make new choices that seem small, but that add up over a long period of time!

Moving on to more positive things, here are some good (great, even!) oils to use in your diet:

1. Olive oil! It is a source of mono-unsaturated fat, which lowers cholesterol and decreases blood pressure. It is anti-inflammatory, and has been linked to lower cancer risk. This is an oil that is on the delicate side and can break down when heated, causing free-radicals in the body (which cause cancer). Remember olive oil = cold use. Choose extra-virgin when using it for everything that doesn't involve spinning it at a high velocity (which can cause bitterness) like hand-whisked salad dressings, a dip for fresh bread, and garnishing soups. Choose a light-tasting version if using it for things like mayonnaise or hummus.

2. Coconut oil! This oil is safe at high temperatures because it is a saturated fat (like butter, lard, and tallow) which means you don't have to worry about free-radicals when it's heated. It's a great oil for sauteing and baking. Go for the "extra virgin" stuff, which is not processed and contains the most nutrition. It can be used in place of "vegetable" or "canola" in most any baking project (just melt it first), and replace butter 1:1, since the saturated fat content is the same. Just be aware that it does impart a slight 'coconut-y' flavor, which I find quite pleasant. Coconut oil is good for the brain, it helps you burn fat, it is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anto-inflammatory, and it is converted to energy quickly. It's also a natural lotion, sun-screen, and hair deep-conditioner. It is so wonderful that it deserves its own post, so until I get to it, here's a great one for your reference.

3. Avocado oil! This oil can be used at high-temperatures and low, and is full of wonderful fats. It is good for your heart, and contains vitamin E which is good for your hair and skin. It has a mild nutty flavor which is hardly noticeable, so it is great to use in applications where you want don't want the flavor to come through too much.

With your pantry stocked with the above-mentioned oils, you can take on any food project your heart desires, while knowing you are making the best choices for your health and the health of your family! Love!

Questions? Stephanie is at Glow Fitness on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (436 W Bakerview Road Suite 103 in Bellingham, WA). Come in to chat about food, nutrition, and take a yoga class while you're at it!