“Oils ain’t Oils”
Cooking oil can make or break your weight loss journey. It’s like choosing the right fuel for your car. You need the right type to run smoothly and efficiently without unnecessary extra baggage.
Fats are not the enemy when it comes to diet. They’re vital for your body to absorb nutrients, produce energy, and stay full longer. Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats is key. Healthy fats, often found in certain oils, can aid in weight management and even enhance the taste of your meals.
You might wonder how oils can be part of a healthy diet. The thing is, not all oils are created equal. Some come with extra goodies like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that help your body combat inflammation. These oils help keep the calorie count in check while ensuring that you don’t compromise on the flavor of your meals.
It’s important to balance your flavors and health benefits when choosing cooking oils. Find what works for your taste buds and health goals. Different oils have distinct smoke points and flavors, and they can each shine in different types of cooking, whether it’s dressing a salad or frying up some veggies.
Keep in mind that moderation is crucial. Just because an oil is labeled as healthy doesn’t mean you should drench your food in it. Be mindful of portion sizes, and you’ll set the stage for successful weight management while enjoying delicious foods.
Top Cooking Oils that Promote Weight Loss
Olive oil is celebrated for its heart-healthy benefits and is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. It’s packed with monounsaturated fats, which can aid in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Drizzle it on salads or use it for light sautéing to keep meals tasty and heart-friendly.
Avocado oil, with its creamy consistency and high smoke point, is perfect for cooking at higher temperatures. It’s rich in vitamin E and has been linked to improving skin health. Try using it in stir-fries or as a dressing to add a subtle, nutty flavor to your dishes.
Coconut oil is a bit of a superstar in the weight-loss world, thanks to its medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are quickly absorbed by the body and can provide a quick source of energy. It’s great for baking or adding a tropical twist to your meals but use it sparingly since it’s high in saturated fats.
Flaxseed oil is one of those oils that’s best when you’re not heating it up. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, it’s ideal for salad dressings or drizzling on side dishes. These good fats are essential for a healthy diet and are known to support cardiovascular health.
Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and has been shown to have several health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure and improved regularity. Just 1 or 2 servings a day can be beneficial. Source; Healthline.
Grapeseed oil is light, versatile, and has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower your dishes. It’s also full of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fats. Use it for baking or quick sears, but make sure to control the portion sizes to keep calories in check.
Grapeseed oil is healthy because it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids can help protect against free radical damage to slow aging, help prevent certain chronic conditions, and improve skin health. Source; VeryWellHealth
Why Some Oils Are Bad for You.
You will hear a lot of people say, “If you have any of these oils in your house, do your body a favor and get rid of them” Are they right or wrong?
The answer is not as easy or straightforward as it seems. But I will try to keep it brief by using “nutritional experts” while trying to explain away the “controversy”.
Most nutrition authorities, like The American Heart Association and Harvard Health Publishing, believe that vegetable oils, even highly processed and refined veggie oils, are healthy.
Such claims are disputed by many sources, both expert and amateur alike. Some of the strongest voices arguing that industrial seed oils are unhealthy are (to be frank) vague, anecdotal, and conspiratorial. But some are doctors and nutritionists with citations to many academic studies and trials.
The data favoring veggie oils as heart-healthy is by no means unambiguous. Studies with contrary evidence have prompted even mainstream outlets like Time magazine to declare that “vegetable oil isn’t as healthy as you think.” And veggie oil advocates have had to grapple with the fact that the rise of vegetable oil has so neatly coincided with the rise of obesity. Source; EverydayHealth.
I think this becomes a judgment call YOU have to make. For me, it was made through how I felt after using the different oils and what I felt and still feel body and health-wise.
Using processed vegetable oils does not sit easily with me and I have felt that by using olive oil (And then only certain types) my overall health has improved.
The reason I said only certain types of olive oil is because some “olive oils ain’t olive oils” ( And you wonder why some people give up on trying to be health conscious).
Then when you see bottles of olive oil going for more than a good bottle of wine, you tend to throw up your hands in despair. When going down the slippery slide of pricing it is not uncommon to see costs like $30 to $40 for a bottle of olive oil.
Let’s Look at Lard.
In the past, lard was a common cooking fat in kitchens throughout the world.
Lard is made from 100 percent animal fat (usually pork) that has been separated from the meat. Most lard is made through a process called rendering, whereby the fatty parts of the pig (such as the belly, butt, and shoulder) are cooked slowly until the fat is melted. This fat is then separated from the meat. Once chilled, lard will solidify into a smooth, opaque substance that may or may not have a lingering pork taste, depending on how it’s processed. Source; All Recipes
However, once animal fat raised health concerns in the early 20th century, consumers gradually shifted to trans fats and vegetable oils.
Recent studies have demonstrated that animal fats are not as harmful to diet as previously believed.
Lard has therefore experienced a comeback in recent years. And when you start looking at the cost of lard in comparison to our “healthy” oil, there is no comparison.
When you look at 42 oz for approximately $25 the only other comparisons you would want to look at would be health and taste.
Is Lard Healthy?
When vegetable oils started to arrive on our table, ‘lard” was villainized and it is only recently that it has shown its own health benefits and its versatility has been allowed to shine through.
Even though it is high in saturated fats, if eaten in moderation it does provide a tasty and healthy alternative to those “other’ oils.
Lard has no trans fat or Omega-6 and can provide vitamin D and K2. And the saturated fats are mainly composed of oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil and is known for its heart-healthy properties.
Can Lard be “Tasty”?
Is it tasty then? In a nutshell, Lard has a mild, savory flavor with hints of sweetness. It adds a rich and distinct taste to dishes that enhance their overall flavor. So it can safely be said that it does not detract from any taste sensation of the food and will provide a taste that will enhance flavors.
The U.S.A’s Favorite Brand
South Chicago Packing
- SCP Lard outperforms solid vegetable shortenings in tortillas, fried chicken, pie crusts, biscuits, breads, cakes, and other pastry doughs at a fraction of the cost of butter.
- Superior taste. There’s a reason your Grandmother used lard in everything from pie crusts to fried eggs!
- Naturally contains zero artificial trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils. No artificial ingredients. Clean Label. Gluten-Free
- Natural and sustainable, with minimal processing and promotes nose-to-tail usability
Use Healthy Oils in Your Weight Loss Journey.
Choosing the right oil (or Lard) for your dish can be a game-changer. Different oils work best for different cooking methods. For instance, olive oil is great for low to medium heat and salads, while avocado oil can withstand higher temperatures for frying or roasting.
Measuring serving sizes helps keep calorie intake in check. You don’t want to go overboard with any oil, even the healthy ones. Using a tablespoon instead of pouring straight from the bottle can help you stick to recommended amounts.
Storage is key to maintaining the freshness and nutrition of your oils. Keep them in a cool, dark place, and make sure the lids are on tight to avoid oxidation, which can make oils go rancid.
The Holy Trinity
Exercise, a balanced diet, and choosing the healthy alternative ( i.e. the right oils in this case ) will always pay off in the long run. And not even in the long run, as you will see short-term gains almost immediately.
Pairing these healthy oils with a balanced diet and exercise routine can maximize your weight loss efforts. A mix of good fats, lean proteins, and various fruits and veggies can support your goals and energize you.
Steve Hey
Your Lazy Athlete
If you like this check out my other work at “The Lazy Athlete”
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