08/02/2025
🧈Remember the butter vs margarine debate years ago? We were told butter was bad for us, so they gave us a "heart healthy" synthetic alternative. Margarine was created way back in 1869 as a butter alternative. It was cheaper and easier to come by during the Great Depression and World War II. It really gained popularity in the 20th century because it was affordable, had a longer shelf life, and it was believed to be a "healthier" option over butter. Later, the realization that hydrogenated oils (and trans fats) were having negative impacts on cardiovascular health caused consumers to leave margarine on the shelf.
As we moved away from saturated fats (butter) and trans fats (margarine) the focus shifted to seed oils. These oils are rich in unsaturated fats, particularly Omega-6s, they were widely promoted as "heart healthy," and they were backed by the American Heart Association. Because of the affordability, versatility, and high smoke point, you'll find that restaurants predominately use seed oils like soybean, canola, sunflower and corn oil. Check your fridge and pantry. These oils are found in everything from salad dressing to roasted nuts and chips! 🥗
Keep reading to find out exactly what these oils could be doing to your health!
