Logo

Cooking Oils

en

January 30, 2025

TLDR: This podcast examines which cooking oils are best for health and discusses whether expensive oils like coconut and avocado are worth the extra cost. It also addresses concerns about overheating certain oils and investigates what constitutes a healthy oil.

1Ask AI

Cooking oils are a staple in kitchens worldwide, generating as much confusion as they are convenience. In this episode of Sliced Bread, host Greg Foot and nutrition expert Professor Nita Forouhi dive deep into the health implications of various cooking oils, answering listener questions and debunking myths prevalent in social media. Here are the key points discussed:

Understanding Fats: Good, Bad, and Ugly

  • Types of Fats: The discussion begins by categorizing fats into three types:
    • Trans fats: These should be completely avoided as they are linked to increased bad cholesterol (LDL) and heart disease.
    • Saturated fats: Found in butter and certain animal products, they should be limited to under 10% of total daily calorie intake due to their association with cardiovascular risk.
    • Unsaturated fats: This includes both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are deemed beneficial for health and can reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Which Cooking Oils are Healthy?

  • Vegetable Oils: This term generally refers to oils extracted from seeds and includes:

    • Sunflower oil: Mostly polyunsaturated fats; has a bad reputation but offers health benefits when saturated fats are replaced with these oils.
    • Rapeseed (Canola) oil: High in monounsaturated fats (70-80%), making it a great choice for cooking.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Although pricier, it's rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, contributing to multiple health benefits. While it has more saturated fats than some other oils, its health properties make it a good option for dressings and even cooking at lower temperatures.

The Confusion Around Cooking Temperatures

  • Smoke Points: The temperature at which an oil begins to smoke and degrade. Olive oil’s smoke point is higher than often perceived, debunking myths that it turns harmful or produces trans fats at typical cooking temperatures.
  • It's emphasized that excess heating of oils, especially polyunsaturated ones like sunflower oil, can lead to the formation of harmful aldehydes. Thus, choosing oils with higher monounsaturated fat content, like olive or canola, can provide safer cooking options.

Listener Questions: Are Expensive Oils Worth It?

  • Listener concerns highlighted the trends on social media regarding expensive oils like coconut oil and avocado oil.
    • Coconut Oil: While versatile, it is high in saturated fat and should be used in moderation.
    • Avocado Oil: Packed with nutrients; its high price tag can be justified only if you enjoy the flavor and meet your budget needs.

Misleading Social Media Claims

  • The show stresses the importance of relying on scientific evidence over anecdotal claims often found on platforms like YouTube. Claims that seed oils are harmful lack the support of substantial scientific consensus.

Practical Takeaways for Home Cooking

  • Diversity is Key: Using a variety of oils for different cooking purposes is recommended. Experiment with affordable options while gradually introducing more nutritious oils into your diet.
  • Balancing Saturated Fat Intake: Aim to keep total saturated fat under 10% of calories per day, focusing instead on healthy unsaturated fats from various oils, nuts, and seeds.

Conclusion

In summary, while many claims surrounding cooking oils focus on their price and purported health benefits, both the evidence and expert opinions suggest that cheaper oils like rapeseed and sunflower oil can be a healthy choice when used correctly. The most critical factor is balancing their intake as part of a varied diet. By making informed choices and staying updated with research, individuals can enjoy healthier cooking without breaking the bank.

Was this summary helpful?

Recent Episodes

Boiling Water Taps

Boiling Water Taps

Sliced Bread

Do Boiling Water Taps save you money?They're often seen in offices but boiling water taps are increasingly popular for the home kitchen too. They hold hot water at a constant temperature in a tank under your sink and claim to save you money compared to boiling a regular kettle. But does the evidence back up the marketing hype?Listener Jenny got in touch with Sliced Bread because she's upgrading her kitchen and is thinking about investing in a boiling water tap. She's keen to know how the figures for daily use stack up - and if there IS a saving how long it would take before she gets her money back on the original outlay. And then there's maintenance too...Greg is joined in the studio by Jenny and energy expert Mark Thompson to crunch the numbers, along with Debbie Birkbeck from Stopcocks Women Plumbers. We are looking for more of YOUR suggestions of products to investigate. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807 PRESENTER: GREG FOOTPRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND PHIL SANSOM

February 13, 2025

Grounding Sheets

Grounding Sheets

Sliced Bread

Grounding Sheets - do they really work?It's perhaps the most-requested product in Sliced Bread history but is there any real science behind grounding (or 'earthing') sheets? The claims made for them are wide and varied - from reducing inflammation and pain, to helping with sleep. How do they do this? Proponents say grounding sheets connect you to the Earth's own electrical field and dissipate electrical charges in your body, built up though everyday activities like wearing rubber-soled trainers. Prices of grounding sheets vary from £30 to £150.Listener Alison is thinking of buying one and wants to know if it could ease pain and help her sleep better. She joins Greg in the studio along with two experts for a deep-dive into the science to find out whether grounding sheets are the best thing since sliced bread - or marketing BS.We are looking for more of YOUR suggestions of products to investigate. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807PRESENTER: GREG FOOTPRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND PHIL SANSOM

February 06, 2025

Protein Powder

Protein Powder

Sliced Bread

Listener Helen asks about protein powders for muscle recovery after long distance runs, specifically comparing Whey and Plant-based options. Expert Graeme Close from Liverpool John Moores University discusses if protein can help build and repair muscles, the optimal amount for consumption, the effectiveness of one type over the other, and the possibility of meeting protein needs through food.

January 23, 2025

Smart Scales

Smart Scales

Sliced Bread

Listener Steve questions accuracy of Smart Scales claiming to measure protein levels, body fat, muscle mass, and bone mass via an app. Experts, a GP and a professor of applied mathematics, are consulted to evaluate these claims.

January 16, 2025

AI

Ask this episodeAI Anything

Sliced Bread

Hi! You're chatting with Sliced Bread AI.

I can answer your questions from this episode and play episode clips relevant to your question.

You can ask a direct question or get started with below questions -

Sign In to save message history