Healthy Oils and Meat

Oils and meat often get a bad reputation for being unhealthy. However, the truth is that as long as you know which oil or meat to choose, you won’t have any worries about it ruining your health.
To give you a good idea, here is a short list of some of your best options the next time you visit the grocery:

Healthy Oils

• Animal Fats/ Lard/ Tallow

Animal fats, lard, and tallow are all considered healthy, particularly if these are sourced from pastured, finished, and grass-fed sources. These oils contain vitamin D and different pro-metabolic fatty acids.

• Fish Oil

Fish oil is a rich dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs for various functions, including cell growth and muscle activity. Omega 3 fatty acids come from the food that you eat because your body can’t produce them.

• Coconut Oil

Coconut oil comes from the coconut kernel or the white meat found within the shell. The oil is known for several health benefits, such as its high amounts of antioxidants and its ability to prevent complications of diabetes including organ and nerve damage.

• Avocado Oil

With a high smoke point of 520 and 375 degrees for refined and unrefined avocado oil respectively, this type of oil is also rich in monounsaturated fats. Its almost flavourless quality makes it an ideal choice for baking as well.

• Macadamia Oil

Macadamia oil is believed to keep your heart healthy with its high level of monounsaturated fat. These fats can reduce bad cholesterol levels, lowering risks of stroke and heart attack.

• Tree Nuts

Oils from tree nuts come in two forms: unrefined and refined. These are also rich in healthy fats, as well as different nutrients such as minerals and vitamins.

Meanwhile, the following are some of the oils you should avoid because they are found to be very inflammatory for the body:

• Canola oil
• Corn oil
• Cottonseed oil
• Grape seed oil
• Safflower oil
• Soybean oil
• Sunflower oil
• Vegetable oil

Healthy Meats

• Wild-caught fatty fish and shellfish

It’s no surprise that wild-caught fatty fish and shellfish are among the healthiest meats you can have. These are rich in omega 3s that are good for the heart, not to mention that there are also lots of options to choose from. These include salmon, tuna, herring, and sardines.

• Grass-fed beef and lamb

Grass-fed beef and lamb are excellent sources of lean red meat known for being rich in B vitamins, zinc, and iron. Meat is also among the primary sources of vitamin B12 in your diet.

• Wild game meat

Wild game meat including antelope, deer, moose, and elk are great sources of B vitamins, protein, and minerals including zinc and iron. These contain low levels of saturated fat and are also considered lean protein sources.

• Pastured pork

Pastured pork is found to contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin B. To make things better, the consumption of pastured pork is better not just for the environment but also for the pig and public health.