Think twice when reading your labels!

While many nutritionists and dietitians as well as so-called healthy cookbooks and magazine articles promote canola oil as healthy, there is a flip side.   You, the consumer, need to hear this and chances are, you haven’t yet…..

Canola oil originates from the rape seed which is a member of the mustard family.  It is used in many baked goods, mayonnaises, salad dressing, and butter substitutes.  Canola oil, like soybean oil, is found practically everywhere.  In fact,  it is hard to avoid without disciplined label reading.  Even Whole Foods Market uses it in almost all of their prepared foods both in the case and at the salad bar.

“Heart-Healthy” ?

The most disturbing fact about canola oil is that it often contains more trans fatty acids than many vegetable oils on the market.  Trans fats, such as those found in margarine, have been shown to contribute to cardiovascular system complications including elevated LDL’s and the lowering of beneficial HDL’s.  They in no way promote good health.

When canola is prepared, it often goes through a process of deodorization to preserve shelf-life.  During this chemical process  the healthy omega-3 oils are thereby altered to trans fatty acids.   While this might prevent rancidity and mold, it certainly won’t help your health or longevity.

Cooking with canola oil is not advised either.  When the oil makes contact with heat, it will oxidize and create free radicals.  Free radicals will add years to your life and may contribute to disease.

When you look at a bottle of canola oil, you will probably not see any trans fat listed on the label.  I’m not sure why this is.  My guess is that the components of the product have been placed on the label prior to chemical processing.  Does this mean if you buy a package of cookies that contain canola oil and the label reads “zero trans fat”  you can be assured that your body won’t get any of this nasty stuff.  My answer is no.

Nutrient Robber

There are many questions concerning canola oil and these include a study that confirms the consumption of canola oil creates a deficiency in vitamin E.  Interestingly, vitamin E is a heart healthy nutrient and canola oil is often marketed to contain healthful levels.

Good News

I advise you to keep your intake of canola oil on the very low side.  There are too many questions and controversy surrounding this oil and why take the risk?

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family:

• Read your labels carefully
• Purchase cold or expeller pressed organic, non-GMO only
• Ask your prepared foods counter to start making their dishes with extra-virgin olive oil and other healthful fats (or at least insist on the cold or expeller pressed organic, non-GMO only varieties)
• Make your own salad dressings and mayonnaises
• Use real butter or ghee instead of the fake, processed ones
• Request the labeling of GMO foods (this includes many canola oils)

Alison Held, M.S., CMTA
Clinical Nutritionist

Where’s The Bun?

Mark your calendars.  This Monday, Kentucky Fried Chicken  launches the infamous Double Down sandwich nationwide.  You better grab some napkins because it’s going to be a wild ride!

That’s right, KFC changes the fast food playing field by eliminating the bun all together.  Hey, if that’s the case, can we still technically still call this a “sandwich?”

Definition: Sandwich

Two or more slices of bread with a filling such as meat or cheese placed between them.

This one is different.

You’ll get two chicken fillets (aka bread) with a “filling” of bacon, Montery Jack cheese, pepper jack cheese and Colonel’s Sauce.  Take a closer look:

Nutrition Facts:

This is where the fun begins.  The calorie content is only 540 calories for the fried version…not so bad considering after all that this is fast food.  By avoiding the bun you’ll be avoiding the carbohydrates which one would think to be a good thing….

However, a whopping 290 of those 540 calories are fat.  Not only will you get 10 grams of saturated fat, .5 are in the form of trans fat.  Any amount of trans fat will contribute to clogged arteries putting you at an increased risk for both heart attack and stroke.  If this information isn’t hitting home yet, maybe the sodium content will help.

According to KFC’s Website, you’ll be digesting a total of 1,380 milligrams of sodium.  Maybe I need to remind you that a recommended daily intake for sodum is typically between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams a day.  Good luck staying true to this since sodium naturally occurs in many of our foods including meat, poultry, dairy products and even vegetables.  Not only will excessive salt intake lead to high blood pressure, it will be a contributing factor to heart disease.

Check Your Blood Pressure!

If you’re eating this type of food even on an infrequent basis, you might want to get your blood pressure level checked.  140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high.  Did you know that bagels, cottage cheese and electrolyte water all contain added sodium?  It adds up quickly so when you top your day off with a Double Down, you can be guaranteed that you’ve gone way over your daily limit.

Go Grilled?

They do offer a grilled option which is approximately 80 calories less with of course far less fat.  The problem is that you’ll be getting 50 mg more of sodium.

I have no problem with chicken or any meat for that matter.  But you should  know that meat from these types of fast food restaurants are 100% factory farmed.  When you consume chicken that has been injected and fed hormones and antibiotics, you will also be ingesting these unnatural drugs  into your body.

Everyone needs protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet.  However, in my opinion, these proportions are out of control.  Mostly I’m concerned about quality.  Kuddos to KFC for eliminating some of the grains (that fried chicken has to be made with some sort of beading) which tends to be very inflammatory for the body.  Yet several thumbs down (I wish I had more thumbs!) for macronutrient quality.

Earlier in this post I suggested that you mark your calendars for Monday’s launch.  Now I’m begging you to boycott the launch and celebrate your good health instead!