Seed Oils & Refined Sugars: Why They Matter

Why They Matter:

_{Let’s talk real ingredients, real health, and what’s actually in our food}.

_{Okay, first things first, I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist. I’m just someone who cares deeply about what goes into my body (and yours!), and I love researching, experimenting, and learning how ingredients impact our health. I’ve spent the past few years simplifying, cleaning up my lifestyle, and paying more attention to labels and ingredients and two of the biggest red flags I keep seeing? Seed oils and refined sugars.}

_{Let’s break them down.}

What’s the deal with seed oils?

_{Seed oils like canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, safflower, and grapeseed oil}

_{are in so many processed foods, dressings, sauces, and even things labeled as “healthy.” They’re cheap, shelf-stable, and highly refined which makes them appealing to big food companies but not exactly ideal for our bodies.}

_{Here’s the science-y bit (but I’ll keep it digestible): seed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, and while our bodies do need}

_{omega-6s in small amounts,}

_{the problem is that most of us are getting way too much.}

_{This imbalance can cause inflammation, which has been linked to things like heart issues, joint pain, and even mood problems.}

_{Plus, the way these oils are processed usually involves high heat and chemical solvents like hexane.}

_{Not exactly what you want fueling your cells, right?}

Quick History on seed oils & Their Industrial Roots

_{Before seed oils found their way into our kitchens,}

_{they had a very different purpose—industrial use.}

_{In the early 1900s, oils like cottonseed and later soybean and canola oil were used in machinery, soap making, and even fuel. These oils were cheap byproducts of other agricultural processes like cotton production and companies were looking for ways to make them profitable.}

_{During World War I and II,}

_{seed oils (like soybean and rapeseed oil) were often used for industrial lubrication and fuel alternatives.}

_{Petroleum was being rationed or redirected to the front lines, so manufacturers looked for plant-based oils to use in things like diesel engines, machinery grease, and synthetic rubber production.}

_{After the war, food companies saw an opportunity:}

_{repurpose these industrial oils into edible oils. With the rise of industrial farming and the low cost of production, seed oils started showing up in processed foods as "heart-healthy" vegetable oils—thanks to aggressive marketing and outdated science that villainized saturated fats.}

Refined sugars: why they’re not just “a treat"

_{White sugar and high-fructose corn syrup show up in nearly everything, from bread to ketchup to granola bars.}

_{Our bodies are wired to love sweet things (thanks, survival instinct!), but refined sugar spikes your blood sugar quickly, messes with your hormones, drains your energy, and over time, contributes to insulin resistance.}

_{For me, it’s not about demonizing sugar—it’s about choosing better sources.}

So what can we use instead? The good news?...

_{There are so many beautiful, natural sweeteners out there that not only taste amazing but also come with nutrients and minerals:}

Raw honey – _{antimicrobial, full of antioxidants, and helps with seasonal allergies (if it’s local!)}

Coconut sugar _{– lower glycemic index and rich in trace minerals}

Maple syrup _{– pure, earthy, and packed with antioxidants and zinc}

Date sugar _{– literally just dried, ground dates—whole food, fiber included!}

_{These sweeteners are closer to how nature made them, and our bodies respond better to that. I use them in my baking, granola, and even in hydration blends I’m working on.}

Why it matters

_{I’m all about the long game when it comes to wellness.}

_{Cutting seed oils and refined sugars may seem like a small step, but over time, these changes can lead to better energy, fewer crashes, reduced inflammation, and an overall sense of balance.}

_{It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.}

_{Swapping out that vegetable oil for avocado oil or olive oil, choosing a drizzle of honey instead of white sugar—it all adds up. And honestly? It}

_{feels good to know you’re fueling your body with ingredients that}

_{support your health, not fight against it.}