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There seems to be quite a bit of confusion as to which oils are actually the healthiest for consuming. With so many different options out there I decided to share this post to discuss the best oils to have in your house and some information on the best ways to use each. 

First off, ditch the canola oil and vegetable oil!  These oils are GMO, processed, hydrogenated, refined and just plain yucky. These nasty oils come in the form of margarine, shortenings and low trans-fat spreads. It is hard to go out to eat to a restaurant that doesn’t use the cheap oils to accommodate the mass cooking at very low cost.  Both Canola and Vegetable oil are trans-rich toxins that, perhaps more than any other components of the modern American diet, has contributed to increases in cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, ED, stroke, dementia, and many other common diseases. For years healthy saturated fats have been demonized as being unhealthy, when actually they are the healthiest and best processed by the body and support immune health. This propaganda is starting to come to a head as many people are waking up to the truth as to which oils are the best to use.

So maybe you can’t always control how restaurants cook your food, but while at home you have the option to cook with healthy, beneficial oils without breaking the bank!  Try to use only organic, unrefined, unprocessed, virgin oils when possible. It will make all the difference. The least processed option is naturally, always the best. Here is a list of the best oils to use:

Coconut Oil is a great way to increase the amount of healthy fats in your diet. It is one of the most nutritious oils and offers many health benefits. It has antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps in the absorption of other minerals. The oil is high in Lauric Acid which converts to Monolaurin in the body which has been shown to fight disease and viruses and boost immunity. You can use this oil to cook, as skin lotion, in smoothies, and even hair conditioner. It helps to reduce scars, stretchmarks and age spots. It can be a substitute for butter or any oil when cooking and can even be used as an all natural shaving cream or eye makeup remover.

Olive Oil is another wonderful oil that can be used for cooking, personal care, natural remedies and more. The oil has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids which promote good cholesterol and help to lower bad cholesterol. It is very gentle on the digestive system and contains vital vitamins and minerals. Olive oil also contains antioxidants which neutralize free radicals. It can be used as a moisturizer, a hair de-tangler, furniture polish, to fix squeaky doors or even to cure an earache.

Hemp Oil should not be cooked hot, but can be used in salad dressings, added to pasta or rice or used for cosmetic or medicinal reasons. It is an excellent moisturizer that helps to energize the skin and increasing skin elasticity. It balances hormones, contains the right balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and helps to treat high cholesterol and diabetes.

Sunflower Oil is not a popular oil to cook with, but has tremendous health benefits. It has a neutral taste so it is ideal for cooking and frying. Sunflower oil provides more Vitamin E than any other oil and assists the body in maintaining water in the cells making it great for beauty products. It contains high amounts of Vitamin E, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and many other nutrients that are essential to the body. Including it in your diet reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers cholesterol and promotes the creation of new cells in the body. It has shown to reduce asthma, colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sesame Oil is high in nutritional content and has shown to have capabilities in fighting, reversing and preventing many diseases and illnesses. They are very high in calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese. It promotes beautiful skin, oral health, reducing stress, and protecting against radiation-induced DNA damage. It’s high in protein so it is a great inclusion in a vegetarian diet. It can be used in homemade cosmetic products and medicines as well as in cooking.

Replacing dangerous, unhealthy oils with healthy alternatives doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can get healthy alternatives online at Vitacost.com and have them shipped directly to you. When you buy in bulk you can typically get the oil for cheaper and trust me, you will use it. From cooking to easy natural health and beauty products, chemical free cleaning products and first aid – and with so many benefits.

What oils do you have in your house and how do you use them?