Seed Oils that Belong to the “Hateful Eight”

Seed Oils that Belong to the “Hateful Eight”

Seed oils are getting slammed on Tik Tok, particularly the “Hateful Eight.”

  • Sunflower oil
  • Soy oil
  • Cottonseed oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Corn oil
  • Rice bran oil
  • Grapeseed oil
  • Canola oil.

If these oils were pressed, they would be considered healthy as they are high in vitamin E and plant phenols.

However, this is not the case because of the refining process which includes bleaching and deodorising. This process helps with the taste, colour and shelf life but removes all the good stuff too.

Processed seed oils are also high in Omega-6 fatty acids. We do need Omega-6 fatty acids in our diet, but not at the ratio to what they are eaten when you have a diet high in ultra-processed foods.

Note, a healthy ratio of fatty acids is 1:1 or 1:4 (Omega 6:Omega 3). In most Western diets the ratio is more like 15:1, or even 20:1. When the ratio is this high, it is pro-inflammatory which can contribute inflammation and the onset of chronic disease.

You might not think you eat much seed oil, but you might be surprised at where highly processed seed oils are hidden:

  • Crackers
  • Frozen meals (and often café meals)
  • Packaged soups
  • Potato chips – over bakes and crisps
  • Breakfast cereals.
  • Packaged nuts.

What you can do about it

  1. Reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods (like chips and processed meals) and don’t be fooled by the “healthy” cracker section – check out the ingredients.
  2. Replace the “hateful eight” seed oils with pressed seed oils (a lower impact processing methodology). There are some lovely oils available in New Zealand:
    1. Walnut oil, great for brain health and one of the richest plant-sources of the essential omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid. My favourite is from Trickett’s Grove.
    2. First press olive oils. Another local favourite is Dunford Grove, the flavour is intensely peppery, full of the good stuff!
    3. Flaxseed oil.
    4. Avocado oil.
  1. Reduce the use of oils for cooking. Often the cooking process destroys whatever is good about the oil in the first place.

All the best, Anna and Darcy.

If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact Darcy or Anna (who you can contact at +64 27 599 2255 or +64 27 4861418 respectively) or via info@zesttwellness.com.

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