We all try to make healthier choices, and cooking oils are no exception. But not all oils are as good for you as they seem. Some popular “healthy” options can actually do more harm than good. Here’s a rundown of some cooking oils that might not be as beneficial as you think. Try swapping some of these out for healthier alternatives like olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil instead.

Bottles of olive oil, tomatoes, a bowl of olives, and fresh herbs in pots on a wooden surface with a blurred background.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Canola Oil

A person holds a clear glass bottle filled with oil, with a field of blooming yellow flowers in the background.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Canola oil is often heavily processed and refined, stripping it of nutrients. It’s also high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation.

Vegetable Oil

A plastic bottle of cooking oil lying on its side with its yellow cap removed and placed next to the bottle on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

A blend of various oils, vegetable oil is highly processed and often contains trans fats, which are linked to heart disease and other health issues.

Soybean Oil

A wooden bowl filled with soybeans is placed next to a small glass bowl of oil, with two glass bottles of oil in the background on a dark surface.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Soybean oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, contributing to inflammation and potentially increasing the risk of chronic diseases.

Corn Oil

A glass bottle of corn oil with a cork stopper is in the foreground, and several ears of fresh corn, some partially husked, are on a wooden cutting board in the background.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Corn oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and often extracted using harsh chemicals, which can leave behind unhealthy residues.

Cottonseed Oil

A small glass bottle with a cork stopper containing oil, placed among cotton plants with fluffy white cotton bolls and green seed pods.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Often contaminated with pesticides, cottonseed oil is highly processed and loaded with unhealthy fats that can harm your heart.

Sunflower Oil

A bottle of sunflower oil, a bowl of sunflower seeds, a scoop with seeds, and three sunflower heads on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

While it sounds healthy, sunflower oil is typically high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can disrupt the balance of fats in your diet and cause inflammation.

Grapeseed Oil

A bottle of grape seed oil with a cork stopper, tied with a piece of twine, is placed on a wooden board alongside bunches of green and red grapes.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Grapeseed oil is marketed as healthy but is high in omega-6 fatty acids and often extracted using solvents, which can leave behind toxic residues.

Rice Bran Oil

A small glass bottle filled with oil is placed on a rustic wooden surface next to a bunch of dried wheat stalks.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Though touted for its high smoke point, rice bran oil is often refined and contains a significant amount of omega-6 fatty acids, leading to inflammation.

Peanut Oil

A glass bottle of peanut oil with a cork stopper stands next to a wooden bowl filled with peanuts and several loose peanuts on a rustic wooden surface.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Peanut oil is prone to oxidation, which can produce harmful free radicals. It’s also high in omega-6 fatty acids, contributing to an imbalanced diet.

Palm Oil

A close-up of palm oil fruits, cut sections, and a bowl of palm oil on leaves with a glass container in the background.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

The environmental impact aside, palm oil is high in saturated fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.

Safflower Oil

A jar of clear oil with a gold-colored lid is placed next to three yellow blooming safflower flowers with green leaves on a white background.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Safflower oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in beneficial omega-3s, which can contribute to inflammation and an increased risk of chronic disease.

13 Foods You Didn’t Know Are Genetically Modified

A hand holding a pile of harvested soybeans above a larger collection of soybeans in a field.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Genetically modified foods are more common than you might think, often hidden in plain sight on our plates. While some people are wary of GMOs, others appreciate the benefits they bring to farming and food production. Here’s a list of everyday foods that have been genetically tweaked, along with a brief explanation of why they were modified.

See Them Here: 13 Foods You Didn’t Know Are Genetically Modified

Eat Away Your Allergies With These 12 Foods That Fight Seasonal Sniffles

A woman with long hair blowing her nose into a tissue, appearing to be sick or having an allergic reaction.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

As the seasons change, so do our allergy symptoms, often leaving us sniffly, sneezy, and downright miserable. But what if you could fight back with your fork? These incredible foods might just to that and help you combat those annoying seasonal allergies. From the anti-inflammatory powers of turmeric to the histamine-fighting punch of apples, dig into some tasty ways to potentially clear up those seasonal sniffles.

Read it Here: Eat Away Your Allergies With These 12 Foods That Fight Seasonal Sniffles

10 Most Dangerous Foods Americans Eat Every Day

Bad American foods.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Think your daily diet is safe? Think again! Some of the foods we munch on every day are ticking health time bombs, hiding serious risks behind their tasty facades. We’re unveiling some common everyday foods that could be wrecking your health and exposing the truth about what’s really on your plate.

Read it Here: 10 Most Dangerous Foods Americans Eat Every Day

*Select images provided by Depositphotos.

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. Hello Gina,
    ok
    So now I know that every cooking oil in the market is poison.
    which one do you use for cooking at home ?
    I want to cook using your oil and live a healthy life like you.

    thank you,