💡Published: 10/3/24 | 📅Updated: 3/21/25
Seed Oils have recently come into debate. Are they good for you or bad? I am not here to debate on the facts but to write about the pros and cons. We will also look at what companies use seed oils in their ingredients and in their cooking. Then you can decide from there.
First we will look at some of the Seed Oils
Commonly Criticized Seed Oils:
Al of these seed oils are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, are chemically processed, Trans fats, prone to oxidation, increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL Cholesterol), lack of nutritional benefits, GMO concerns, Inflammation, digestive issues, and high calorie density.
List of the most common seed oils, but there are more that are not listed here.
- Canola Oil
- Corn Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
The better substitute:
- Olive
- Avocado
- Coconut
- Butter (Ghee) NOT Margarine
There are several fast food restaurants out there that use seed oils, and we take a look at a couple of them. I am not picking on them but you need to know.
Beings McDonalds is a very popular fast food restaurant they will be first on the list:
- McDonalds – Burgers, fries and breakfast items. Check the seed oils on a Big Mac® or World Famous Fries® or a Sausage McMuffin®
- Chick-fil-a – Doesn’t show what it is cooked in but you can see Nutrition here
- Taco Bell – Taco Bell show what is in the Ingredients here
- Wendy’s – Nutrition and Food Allergies listed here
- Burger King – No listing I could find.
What processed foods contain seed oils?
Whew! Now that is a loaded question. So here goes.
- Snack foods:
- Potato chips, Tortilla Chips
- Popcorn
- Fried Foods
- Fast Food Items – French Fries, Chicken Nuggets
- Frozen Fried foods – Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Nuggets, Onion rings
- Baked Goods
- Commercial Breads – Sandwich breads and rolls
- Pastries and Cookies – Pastries, cookies and cakes
- Condiments and Dressings
- Salad Dressings, especially Creamy Dressings
- Mayonnaise
- Sauces – Including Barbeque Sause and marinades
- Processed Meats
- Lunch meats and Sausages – Including deli meats
- Frozen Meals
- Includes lean meals, TV Dinners especially fried and/or sautéed
- Cereal and Granola/Power Bars
- Breakfast cereals
- Bulk up your body bars
- Plant-Based Products
- Many Plant based Proteins use seed oils, veggie burgers and Pizzas
- Packaged Foods
- Instant Noodles
- Ready made soups – Canned or packaged
So the moral of the Story is :
If you are at the grocery Store, check the packaging of everything to see if you are eating Seed oils which we found are not good for you. Instead, pick products that have coconut oil, Avocado oil or Olive Oil. Start cooking with these three oils and your health and weight will improve.