A couple of weeks ago I posted a recipe where I mentioned olive oil as one of the ingredients. A friend of mine who knows a lot about health sent me a message complimenting me on the recipe but at the same time she told me to never cook with olive oil because it becomes carcinogenic when it comes in contact with high heat. After doing my own research, I was shocked by what I found out. Olive oil is the only cooking oil that my husband and I cook with. So with a few days of research here is what I came up with.
Coconut Oils
Coconut oil has nutrients like vitamin E, K and iron that are retained at high temperatures. Good for baking and frying. Doesn’t smoke or turn brown easily. Store in a cool, dark place.
Flax Seed Oils
Flax seed oil is full of essential omega-3 fatty acids. You can use it unheated in shakes, salad dressing, cereals or on toast.
Ghee
Ghee is a butter that is free of impurities and cholesterol. However, use sparingly if you are trying to lose weight. It is also very calming to the nervous system. Use for baking and frying. It will not smoke and turn brown as easily as regular butter. No refrigeration needed. Keep in a cool, dark place.
Grapeseed Oil
This oil maintains its healthy properties known to fight cancers and lower cholesterol at high temperatures.
Hemp Oil
Just like flax seed oil, hemp oil is full of the essential omega-3 fatty acids and should be used unheated.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is known to lower the risk of heart disease and everyone should have it as part of their diet. It should be used for salads or sauces. By heating virgin olive oil to over 200 to 250 degrees, you are running the risk of creating an oxidized oil that can do your body more harm than good.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a bit more expensive, but you only need to use a little for a lot of flavor It also has a lowering effect on blood pressure.
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38 Responses to Are You Cooking With The Right Oil?
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I have also heard this from a Qigong course I took (there was an entire segment dedicated to healthy eating). Organic butter is also good to cook with, if you don’t mind the fat/calorie content:) Happy Halloween!
AWESOME!!! Great tips. I sent the article directly to my momma so she could read it to.
http://www.theopinionatedgirl.com
Wow Zhanna, I am shocked as olive oil is the only oil I use for cooking. I really need to change that. Thank you so much for that super interesting research.
Ani
http://www.fleurani.blogspot.de
Zhanna, thank you for sharing this info. I learned so much. I didn’t know that about heating olive oil. As always, you teach me so much!
Hope you have a Happy Halloween!
–Krista
http://www.junkindiggingettinlost.com
Thanks for the information!
xo Rach
rachiecakes-rachael.blogspot.com
As a proud Spanish woman I only cook with olive oil!! Happy Halloween dear!!
xoxo
Patricia
http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com
Gosh, scary! I always use olive oil too. Good to know about the safe tempurature range. Thanks!
Thanx a lot for this amazing post !! I do sometime end up heating olive oil
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Great post!
I’ve been using coconut oil for a few years, but this is really opening my eyes to all the other options I have!
http://www.gumbootglam.com
xo Ally
Thank you Ally!
Great information! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Halloween!
LA By Diana Live Magazine
Thanks Diana!
I had NO idea! We always cook with olive oil too! Thank you so much for sharing this, I will be using other oils from now on!
I never knew there was so much to learn about cooking oil! Thank you for the tips!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
I knew about it, it must be raw! Very useful post!
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Such a great post! Got so many tips!
callmemaddie.blogspot.com
Thank you Maddie!
What a great post, thank you!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
good to know! i always use olive oil. i have grapeseed, flax and coconut in the house, so i will have to try using them in cooking. thanks!
You are more prepared then I was. Have a happy Halloween!
I honestly had NO idea about the differences between all of these! Great post.
Isn’t That Charming.
Thank You!
Hi Zhanna, I honestly love these posts you do, I find them very helpful with great tips, I had no idea that some of these oils were used in cooking – here in SA people sometimes use coconut oil in hair products and flax seed oil in medication and vitamins. I’ve seen avocado oil in stores, have no idea what it tastes like. This was really interesting. Thanks
Hi Sam, thank you so much for your comment. I was surprised myself about olive oil
So interesting! I, too, use olive oil for everything. After your Bright Lights post, I started thinking about incorporating coconut oil. I use jojoba for my skin, and I have a friend from India who uses just a touch of olive oil on her hair at night. It’s so interesting to learn about the ways that oils can help and hurt us. Thank you for this!
I completely agree with you. I was so surprised that I thought I was using a healthy oil for cooking but I wasn’t and olive oil should only be used for salads
Wow, I had no idea!! I always use olive oil too.
I always cook with olive oil, but I’ve never really taken the time to explore any other options. I definitely want to try a few of these other ones!
-Alyssa
The Glossy Life
I started cooking with sesame oil and coconut oil and the food comes out really good.
OMG, Zhanna, I’m shocked!!! I always thought that I eat healthy, well , I need to buy another oil for cooking!
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Kisses
Elena
http://dcinstyle.com/blog
I felt the same way last week when I found out.
Wow, thanks for sharing… I had no idea! I wonder if it has anything to do with the type of cooking surface as well?
I looked into that and you should never cook with tephlon. Its all about the temperature you cook the olive oil in.
You always provide such great information I love that we are interested in the same things!
Oh thank you. I feel the same about your blog!!
are you sure that is true? Here in Spain (and most mediterranian countries) always use olive oil, it’s part of our culture and diet, considered to be one of the best in the world. we all know about the positive effects of olive oil and I’d never heard something like this before…
However, if we mistreat it or use it for purposes it was never intended to, maybe then it’s harmful, but i’ts not the faultof the oil but ours…
Olive oil is very healthy and it should be a part of any healthy diet but it should not be cooked at high heat because unfortunately its properties change.
I love coconut oil & flax seed oil. Good advice about the olive oil, so few people know that olive oil shouldn’t be used at high temperatures.
Have a good weekend
~Kelly