Why Skip Seed Oils? Embracing Healthier Fats for Better Wellbeing

Hi Friends,

I hope y’all had a nice 4th of July. I’m not sure where the time has gone but my oh my, summer time here in Maine is flying by! When I think about summer, I think about fun beach days, camping, magical fireflies, lake times, overflowing calendars with social gatherings, eating fresh watermelon on a humid afternoon, strawberry picking and of course exciting packed festivals with all of the live music, food trucks and... fried foods galore! 

If you’re reading this, I swear I’m not trying to be a debbie downer. I just can’t help myself because ultimately, I want you and your family to thrive. Unfortunately, knowing what I know about the dangers of consuming seed oils makes me feel like I’m doing a disservice so let’s first dive in with some history shall we?

Back in the early 1900’s a British candlemaker, William Procter and James Gamble who was an Irish soapmaker decided to become partners in business where they used animal fat as their chief ingredient in their products. Their company supplied soap and candles to the Union Army during the American Civil War 1 despite the scarce fat supplies and yet when the war was over, their business became even more successful and they invented many other household products like Ivory Soap and Tide, the first synthetic laundry detergent. 

During this time, these two men developed a way to make cottonseed oil (then classified as a toxic byproduct) into an “edible” fat otherwise known today as Crisco. Canola oil which has become a cheap staple in many of today’s restaurants and kitchen pantries also started out as industrial chemicals that were in fact used to lubricate machinery. Yikes. 

So why should we try to avoid consuming oils derived from plants AKA canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, safflower, peanut oil, grapeseed, rice bran or margarine? These industrial seed oils otherwise known as polyunsaturated fats or linoleic acid are nutrient poor, calorie dense and are used in virtually all processed foods, using high pressure, high heat and chemicals for extraction, deodorization and colour. As Paul Saladino, MD would say, “Seed oils simply are not a species-appropriate source of fat for humans”. Excess linoleic acid that accumulates in the body over time can cause major inflammation leading to chronic diseases and health problems like: asthma and allergies, autoimmune disease, cognitive and mental health issues, diabetes and obesity, heart disease, gut health issues, infertility, osteoarthritis and more. 

I know, it’s a lot of information and maybe you know this already but I felt it was an important topic to discuss because well hell, the fried dough and festival fries are all around us this season and I must admit that the new donut shop that recently opened up near me has been extremely tempting every time I drive by. Personally, I don’t mess with consuming foods with seed oils because I immediately feel the not-so-great effects and it’s just not worth it for me. Some healthier alternatives to use for cooking or keep in mind when eating out are avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, duck fat, goose fat, tallow, lard, grass-fed butter and ghee. If you really want to go down the rabbit hole and get more serious about avoiding seed oils, there is an app that you can purchase called, Seed Oil Scout that shows restaurants in your area that do not cook with them. How cool is that?! 

Now, I’m not saying that you should never enjoy and indulge in the foods that bring you joy but at least I’ve done my part by trying to educate you a little more before you decide to chomp on that delicious looking churro stick or fried seafood platter that your family ordered. 

If you’re still curious about ways to improve your health and have managed to read this far without thinking I’m the Food Police, I would love to connect! Book your complimentary Discovery Call today and find out how I can help you! 

In health and happiness,

Katrina Ramos, NTP

What Is The Best Diet For Me?

One of the main reasons I was drawn to taking the Nutritional Therapy Program as opposed to other holistic nutrition programs was because it was not only inspired by Weston A. Price’s research but also because they emphasized using a bio-individual approach. What is Bio-Individuality you ask? Well you see, bio-individuality is the idea that there is no one-size fits all approach to health and nutrition. Rather, you and I are so unique in our biological makeup and requirements. Meaning, that we all have our own special dietary and lifestyle needs based on factors like: genetics, epigenetics, ancestry, age, environmental exposures, health status, socioeconomic status, geography, activity level, etc. Therefore, our bodies react differently to various foods, habits and the like which I find very refreshing don’t you think?

So from here on out, you can stop googling and experimenting with The best diets of 2024 and give yourself some grace if for whatever reason it didn’t work for you yet magically somehow worked for others. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re simply unique and all that really requires is finding what works for you and only you. Trust me when I say that I completely understand how frustrating it is to follow a diet or protocol that is supposedly optimal for every single person in the world then come to experience it’s actually wreaking havoc on your health. 

I have literally tried every diet from vegan, vegetarianism, ayurvedic-inspired, pescatarian, mediterranean, intermittent fasting, fodmap, paleo, keto and carnivore all just to learn that none of these were supporting my bio-individual longterm health. In fact, all I ever felt was moody, bloated, gassy, deprived with strong cravings and out of control. I also experienced irregular and painful periods, low self-esteem, adult acne, brittle nails, hair and teeth, extreme fatigue, severe depression and anxiety and an overall negative outlook on life (It’s still a wild ride but I’ve come a long way).

With all of this being said, would you agree that for a short period of time, it’s easy to follow a “diet” with rules of what you can and can’t put on your plate? Although, when it comes to intuitively listening to what your body is trying to tell you things can get complicated. That is where I come in! I can help steer you in the right direction to what is optimal for you by ensuring that you have an appropriate balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins based on your bio-individuality and circumstances.

Establishing a healthier relationship with food is also part of what we do together because food should neither be labeled as good nor bad. Ultimately, it’s about fine-tuning what specific nutrient-dense foods nourish your body best in this moment and then adjusting it along the way. I could geek out about this all day but isn’t it fascinating to learn that all of our different bodies have an innate intelligence of seeking homeostasis? All we have to do is honor it and lean in.

And so to answer your question above, “What is the best diet for me?”

I can’t entirely answer that for you but what I CAN offer you is my support in navigating your unique nutritional and lifestyle requirements that will sustain you and help you thrive.

Still interested in healing your special gut? Please fill out the Nutritional Therapy Inquiry Form and we’ll get you set up for your free 20 minute consultation. I can’t wait to work with you!

In health and happiness,

Katrina