4 Reasons Why Canola Oil So Bad For You + The Top 6 Best Substitute For Canola Oil
Why Is Canola Oil So Bad For You
1. They Use Genetically-Modified Ingredients
In the past years, many advocacy groups have been furious because of the use of genetically-modified organisms or GMOs in various food items. While you might think that canola oil is actually made from canola seeds, you are wrong. In reality, it is made with the use of rapeseed oil, which has been already classified as being toxic for human consumption. It is said that 90% of the canola oil produced uses ingredients that have been genetically modified since they are not naturally available. This can already be a sufficient reason for you to rethink its use and to start a revolution towards a healthier life.
2. Canola Oil is Deodorized
The process of deodorizing canola oil can be considered another thing that should make you cautious about its use. During the process of production, it is not only bleached but also deodorized as a way of being able to remove the foul odor in the final product. However, it is also important to keep in mind that deodorizing the oil will lead to the elimination of the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which will be transformed into trans-fatty acids.
3. Canola Oil is Partially Hydrogenated
Let me guess. You are now most probably thinking about what this means. Well, being partially hydrogenated, poses another risk to your health because it means that it is abundant in terms of trans-fat. Do not get it wrong. While there are some canola oils that are marketed as being non-hydrogenated, the majority of the options that are still available in the market have undergone such a process, hence, making it bad for you.
4. Canola Oil Contains Hexane
In the process of having the oil refined, it uses hexane, which is a chemical solvent that has been known for being a carcinogen. Many manufacturers would admit that even the finished products that they bring to the market contain hexane, but in an amount that is already insignificant. However, as consumers without actual knowledge of the entire process, it would be hard to determine whether they are actually claiming the truth or if it is also a strategy in order to cover up the dangers of their products.
ALSO READ: 2 Ways To Recognize if Your Olive Oil is Fake
What Are The Best Substitutes For Canola Oil?
2. Olive Oil
Made from pressed olives, olive oil has a delicious taste and multiple health benefits and is a perfectly suitable canola oil stand-in for cooking or baking. However, when using olive oil as your canola substitute, be mindful of its strong flavor which can impact the overall flavor of your dish. When using it instead of canola in baked goods specifically, go with a light olive oil which has a more neutral flavor.
ALSO SEE: 34 Proven Health Benefits of Olive Oil
3. Safflower Oil
Similar to canola oil, safflower oil is a flavorless, colorless oil with a high smoke point that works great in place of canola oil for frying or baking. However, safflower oil isn’t safe for anyone with blood clotting problems or if you are allergic to anything in the ragweed family, so check your health before you pick this one as your canola oil substitute.
When it comes to finding the best canola oil substitute, sunflower oil is your best bet. Not only is it great for baking, browning, and pan frying, but it’s also known to improve heart health and contains vitamin E which promotes healthy skin, prevents cancer, and can boost energy levels.
Extracted from corn, corn oil is not only the healthiest canola oil substitute, but it’s also the most affordable option. Corn oil is organic and cold pressed and is rich in poly and monounsaturated fats that help balance cholesterol levels. Plus, if you’re making something deep-fried, corn oil has an especially high smoke point making it ideal for deep-fried dishes.
6. Almond Oil
Not only does almond oil have multiple health benefits like being high in monounsaturated and linoleic fatty acids, but it also is an ideal canola oil substitute in virtually any baked good recipe. The smooth texture and slightly nutty taste are a great addition to your next batch of cupcakes or chocolate chip cookies, however, it may not be as good of a fit in savory recipes where that nutty flavor may negatively impact the flavor of your final product.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, in spite of how manufacturers try to sugarcoat canola oil and claim that it is a healthy food, the truths that have been mentioned above are undeniable. In fact, there are many scientific reports claiming the truths that producers of canola oil try to hide from the public. As consumers, you have the duty to be as meticulous as possible in the selection of the oils that you use. Read the label, but do not trust everything that is displayed in such. Manufacturers may try to deceive you with their faulty claims.