Cooking oils impact the taste of your food, how your body digests it, and how your stomach will feel after digestion. They also can aid in blood sugar management, which is important if you have gestational diabetes. By paying attention to your cooking oil choices, you can enjoy your food and ensure it is health supportive. This will help you gain control of how you feel at your best each and every day.
Matching oil to cooking method is real as not every oil is stable to heat. For example, high-heat tasks like frying or stir-frying call for oils that remain stable at higher temperatures. On the other hand, milder oils work for salads, marinades, or to finish a dish with a drizzle. When pushed past a smoke point oils can leave food with an unpleasant taste, and break down to form compounds that are harmful to health. Understanding how oil like vegetable or sunflower oil respond to heat, is to know how to cook with confidence and keep cooking safe.
Dietitians emphasize selecting the right oil in order to help preserve the nutritional value of your food. Good quality oils assist your body in absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. These vitamins help with gut health and overall immunity, so the oil you choose impacts more than flavor. (Mayo Clinic)
Today, many kitchens offer a variety of cooking oils, each with a distinct flavor. People like to keep a few oils on hand so that they can pair oils with the recipe and adjust the heat to the ideal level for cooking.
• Usually a combination of soy, corn, palm, and sunflower oils. It has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it useful for everyday cooking, frying and sautéing.
• Nutritionally, it provides a considerable amount of omega-6 fatty acids. Too much omega-6 relative to omega-3 fatty acids can promote inflammation in the body, so it helps to keep your overall intake omega balanced. (ICMR – Indian Dietary Guidelines). (ICMR – Indian Dietary Guidelines).
Refined sunflower oil is a great option for many homes because it can handle extreme temps, up to 460°F (238°C). This allows it to work for frying, roasting, and many other similar techniques. High-oleic sunflowers contain more stable, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
• a great source of vitamin E and cholesterol free
• Good for baking, deep frying, and stir frying (Spectrum Organics). (Spectrum Organics).
Olive oil is abundant in monounsaturated fast and antioxidants. This can prevent inflamation and support gut health. Olive oil is best in cold dishes and for finishing because when it is heated, it can lose some of its health benefits. For other cooking, refined olive oil is better because it has a higher smoke point. (Healthline – Olive Oil Benefits).
• Supports heart and vascular health
• Supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
Coconut oil has medium-chain triglycerides, which the body uses for quick energy, and these fats may help you feel full longer. It adds a sweet, mild flavor and can be used for medium-heat cooking and baking.
• Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties support skin, oral health, and metabolism.
• MCTs promote a balanced gut microbiome.
• Due to the high saturated fat content, it should be consumed in moderation.
Along with having the highest smoke point [520°F (271°C)], Avocado oil has a nice light and buttery taste which makes it great for frying, grilling, and roasting.
• High in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E
• Good for heart health
• Can help maintain stable blood sugar levels
Mustard oil has a strong and spicy taste and an omega-3 and antioxidant profile that aids digestion and may fight bacteria.
• Food-grade, cold-pressed mustard oil
• Avoid hot-pressed mustard oil (WHO – Diabetes & Pregnancy). (WHO – Diabetes & Pregnancy).
Hemp oil has an omega-6 and omega-3 ratio that is thought to be helpful for blood sugar control and may be especially good for gestational diabetes.
• Good for salad dressings, and low-heat cooking
1. Smoke Point
When choosing an oil for cooking, the most important factor is smoke point, which is the highest temperature that oil can reach without becoming unsafe.
• High Heat: Avocado oil, refined sunflower oil, canola oil, mustard oil – can be used for frying, roasting, grilling.
• Medium Heat: Olive oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil. Good for sautéing as well as moderate-heat cooking.
• Low/No Heat: Extra virgin olive oil, hemp oil, toasted sesame oil. Best for dressings, drizzling, or finishing dishes.
Choosing the right oil saves nutrients, prevents harmful compounds from forming, and keeps flavors intact.
• Monounsaturated fats (olive, avocado, canola). Anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective.
• Polyunsaturated fats (sunflower, hemp, flaxseed). Good for brain and gut health.
• Saturated fats (coconut, palm). Use sparingly; MCTs provide unique energy benefits.
Tip: Look for “cold-pressed,” “expeller-pressed,” or “unrefined” labels. (NHS – Managing Diabetes).
? Oils must be stored with a lid tightly closed in a cool and dark place.
? For optimal freshness, purchase oil that you will consume within a couple of months.
? Sunflower and avocado oils are safe to use repeatedly at high temperatures as they have a high smoke point.
? To avoid taste and health complications, do not reuse frying oil excessively.
• Oil that is neutral and has a high smoke point: canola, avocado oil, refined sunflower oil
• Oil that is flavorful: mustard oil and EVOO, and for dressings and finishing
• Specialty health oil: unrefined coconut oil and hemp oil for gut health and a variety of nutrients
Choosing oils that have high nutritional value and using them, can make everyday meals more healthy and enjoyable. If you have a particular condition, such as gestational diabetes, you can contact a dietitian to help you adjust these suggestions to your needs while keeping your meals balanced and enjoyable.
Nutritionist and Dietician, Ruhi Rajput is a renown name, championing the integration of nutrition, lifestyle, and mindfulness She has over a decade of valuable experience, empowering health and nutrition through holistic approach.
Recognised as India's top Dietician and Nutritionist expert, with experience in Clinical Nutrition & Ayurvedic Dietetics. Ruhi has crafted a niche for herself with her excellence in gut health, natural Hormone balance with food and weight loss programs. She is popular for her holistic health approach and offers comprehensive solutions to gut health, weight management, autoimmune disorders and diet for Diabetes, Kidney and fatty liver.
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