Ask Maria 
The healthiest cooking oils reduce inflammation, support our health, and of course, taste delicious. These are the three healthiest cooking oils you should consider keeping in your kitchen at all times.
Every oil has a different smoke point – the temperature at which it becomes rancid and unhealthy. If you’ve ever forgot a pan with oil on the stove, you know the familiar acrid aroma.
Choose different oils based on the temperature you’ll be using.
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1. Olive Oil
Olive oil is the most studied oil, and has the most documented health benefits, so makes an excellent choice.
Choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil (this is my absolute fave olive oil) for dressings and dips, or you can cook with it over a low to medium-low heat.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is high in medium-chain-triglycerides (MCTs) which are believed to support healthy cognitive function. Choose unrefined coconut oil (sometimes called virgin coconut oil) for medium heat cooking.
3. Avocado Oil
While not as studied as olive oil, avocado oil has many similar properties. It’s high in oleic acid, which is believed to be primarily responsible for the many heart healthy benefits attributed to olive oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, and is a much healthier alternative to vegetable oils.
For roasting and other high heat cooking methods, choose unrefined avocado oil.
*Watch out for refined coconut oil and refined avocado oil— these are less healthy, stick to unrefined.*
Have you tried them all?! Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Enjoy These Tips?
Shopping for healthy groceries can be confusing and overwhelming, with all the options and the health-washing (aka marketing a not-so-healthy product as healthy). That’s why I wrote the book, The Real Food Grocery Guide. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love the book!
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Kristine
My favorites are avocado and olive oil too! I tend to stay away from coconut oil because it makes the food taste like coconut and often feels too heavy.
Maria Marlowe
That's great! Yes, the coconut does make everything very coconut-y so I usually reserve that for desserts and once in a while a veggie stir-fry or something similar.