Despite what you may have heard or been told in the past, we now know that coconut fat and virgin coconut oil is a healthy cooking oil and can be used at high heats–i.e. for stir frys etc. It is also healthy to use:
- Olive oil and extra virgin for salads and to be used to cook at low heat.
- Butter and ghee are safe to use in moderation in cooking, baking and on breads
The typical north american diet has far too many Omega 6 fatty acids and too little Omega three fatty acids.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are ANTI INFLAMMATORY and help the body get rid of toxins and ‘garbage’ in our cells. This is the opposite of the effect of Omega 6 fatty acids, which are too common in the North American diet and are INFLAMMATORY and cause problems in the body. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in:
- Egg yolk
- Canola oil
- Pastries
- Baked goods
- Vegetable oil
- Margarine
Omega three fatty acids are the ones that have anticancer, antioxidant, and many other health benefits, such as improving mood and concentration.
Sources Of Omega 3s
Omega Threes can be found in:
- Certain nuts like walnuts (and walnut oil),
- Flaxseed
- Wild salmon
Other Bad Oils/Fats to Minimize
Avoid Transfats, vegetable shortening, margarines, and other vegetable oils besides olive oil when possible!
Foods high in BAD fats cooked with unhealthy oils include:
- Chips
- Snack crackers
- Pie crusts
- Pastries
- Baked goods
- Mayonnaise
- Non-homemade muffins
- Donuts
- Cookies