Who do you know that “cannot eat fried food?”
In the old days, we enjoyed fried clams, onion rings, chicken, french fries, fried dough etc. with only minor issues.
Now, we get diarrhea just thinking about it. Why is that? Many reasons really, from portion size, to lack of fiber, to poor chewing. But it’s also the oil. Years ago, vegetable oil made from corn or soybeans, or lard were used. Not the best, but in moderation, the body can handle it.
Now, almost universally, canola oil is used. Canola oil was invented in the 70s, and is now derived from rapeseed and/or two other genetically modified plants. There are questions as to whether it is fit for humans (like high fructose corn syrup, msg, nitrites, table salt and food colorings), but here are three interesting facts about it:
- It can be used to power diesel engines, in new or waste form
- It’s very cheap
- It becomes even cheaper if you leave it in the fryolater all day
While it’s almost certainly true that portion sizes and appetites have become gargantuan, it is equally horrifying that we are consuming foods made in a laboratory, made from plants that are genetically modified, and in large amounts.
We like to blame others for our problems (eg. the Chinese for lead in our toys, and the U.S. Gov’t for the fiscal crisis), but we like cheap, satisfying food in big portions.
The cure is not a pill, nor eliminating fried foods, but rather patronizing establishments that use healthier oils, and cooking with healthier oils at home.
The healthiest oils are:
- Olive oil (extra virgin when eaten raw, and regular when cooked at low to medium heat for short periods)
- Sesame oil (toasted when eaten raw and cooked a low to medium heat, and regular when cooked at low/medium/high heat
- Sunflower or Safflower oil when cooked at low/medium/high heat
- Soybean oil when eaten raw, and when cooked at low to medium heat
- Corn oil when eaten raw, and when cooked at low to medium heat
Please use organic oils when you can, and use less oil in the winter, and cook it more. (oil is yin and our need and capacity for yin is less in the winter).
Also remember to eat a sea salt pickle (no vinegar, sugar, corn syrup or artificial colors) afterwards.