Pitch the PUFAs and Keep it Fresh

Lately, everywhere we turn, we are hearing about PUFA oils and the reasons why we should avoid them.

PUFA oils are polyunsaturated fatty acids that have great potential for oxidation, rancidity and can cause inflammation as well as adversely affect your metabolism, blood sugar, digestion, detoxification and skin health. We've learned to trade in our oils such as sunflower, vegetable, canola, grapeseed, soybean, corn, peanut and others and replace them with healthier choices such as olive, avocado, coconut, ghee, butter and even tallow or lard in moderation.

It's fairly easy to purge those bottles of oils at home, but give some thought to what kind of oils are being used in your favorite granola or the chips you ate at lunch or any of the packaged items in your pantry. Consider not only the type of oil, but also the quality of oil and how old that oil already was way back when the product was first made. Think about how long that product was stored in a warehouse and how many temperature changes and over heating processes it has been through. How long has it been sitting on the store shelf when it finally got there? Yuck!

Since our last blog post was about cleaning out the clutter of our homes for the New Year, I challenge you to clean out your refrigerator and cabinets too while you are at it. It's time to check the dates on your boxes and bottles.

Once you have things cleared, give thought to how you can get the freshest product. Great quality oil producers gladly put the date the olives were harvested on their product not just a bottling date or worse yet, just an expiration date (which is probably wayyyy past what it should be for optimum freshness.) I've looked at the oils on my typical store shelves and the better products with actual origin dates are few and far between if in existence at all!

Because oils are one of the kitchen items I am most passionate about, I choose to get my oils from a producer I have personally visited in California. I saw their production and I taste tested their product. I know they are sending me the freshest they have and it comforts me to know that I am putting quality in my body. I am sure there are other producers that do the same and it is worth putting the time into the research for the health of you and your family. Do you buy coconut oil? Great! Do the same - find quality product, check dates and if you are buying from a mainstay grocery store or big box store consider switching to a natural foods store or someplace where you know the turnover is happening quickly. Is the best more expensive? Yes, at times it is, but it is worth it.

Lastly - once you have put amazing, fresh ingredients in your cupboards, complete the effort and consider taking the last step - make your own granola or chips or crackers so they can be as fresh as possible and avoid the old rancid oils that are contained in so many pre-packaged foods we eat so often. Once you find a good recipe and make it a couple of times, it won't feel like a chore and will become quick, easy and just part of your routine.

Just think about how great this change is going to make you feel!