6 Healthiest Oils to Eat Raw

It’s not all about the cooking oil! Check out the healthiest oils to eat raw:

Oil is a pretty normal part of life. You cook with oil, dress your salads with oil, apply oils to your hair, skin, and scalp, and take oil supplements for your brain health. Simply put, you can’t have a healthy life without oil.

But not all oils are created equal. Some oils are better used for cooking, while others are best when eaten raw. Here are the healthiest oils to eat raw:

1. Fish Oil — If you heat fish oil, it loses all of its unsaturated fat goodness! In fact, you’re not supposed to heat fish oil at all. Fish oil is usually only found in Omega-3 supplements, which you take in order to reduce inflammation, boost heart health, increase brain function, and improve joint health. You’d be best served by keeping the fish oil well away from any heat sources, and eating at as it comes in the supplement!
2. Flaxseed Oil — For those who are trying to get more Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet, flaxseed oil is the far better-tasting alternative to fish oil. There’s no fishy taste, and while there is a slightly strong flavor, it’s far more palatable than fish oil. You get a healthy dose of the fatty acids needed by your brain, cardiovascular system, joints, and immune system, all from a plant-based oil. It’s one of the healthiest oils around, but it’s best when consumed at room temperature.
3. Almond Oil — Almond oil is a light oil, meaning it has less saturated fat than some of the denser oils. It’s high in unsaturated fat, which heats up more quickly. If you cook with almond oil, the lower smoke point could mean that your food is packed with the carcinogens that come from over-heated oil. It’s best to consume almond oil without heating it, or apply it directly to your face, skin, scalp, or hair for maximum health benefits.

READ MORE: 10 Health Benefits of Fish Oil

4. Avocado Oil — Unlike the other oils on this list, avocado oil has a high smoke point–one of the highest of any oils, in fact. However, when you heat avocado oil, you lose the rich, creamy flavor that sets it apart from the rest of the vegetable oils. There is a natural buttery taste to avocado oil, making it a brilliant addition to any meal that tastes great with margarine or butter. It’s great for making dips, salad dressings, salsas, and marinades, and while it can stand up to high heat, it’s better to enjoy the rich flavor of the oil unheated.
5. Olive Oil — Olive oil can and often is used for cooking, but the fact that it has a low smoke point means it’s more likely to turn carcinogenic. You can’t fry or deep fry food with olive oil, as the oil will begin to smoke well before it is hot enough for the high-heat cooking. Instead, use olive oil as a dressing for salads, pastas, veggies, and other dishes. You’ll find that it’s an amazing oil to eat raw, and it offers an astonishing range of health benefits!
6. Coconut Oil — Coconut oil is another oil you can use for cooking, but when it’s consumed raw, it’s much healthier for you. The oil contains a lot of medium-chain triglycerides, which are easier to use for fuel than the long-chain triglycerides contained in most oils. MCTs are less likely to cause fat storage, making it one of the best oils to eat for weight loss. Plus, it has a natural sweetness that makes it a brilliant garnish or dressing.