Is Olive Oil Paleo? (Plus Other Paleo-Friendly Oils You Can Cook With)

Is Olive Oil Paleo? (Plus Other Paleo-Friendly Oils You Can Cook With)

PureWow

 

You’re giving that Paleo life a go (bring on the meats, veggies, fruits and nuts), but you’re still a little foggy about cooking fats. Is olive oil off-limits? Are all plant oils OK? We’ve got the answers (plus other cooking oils that have the Paleo seal of approval).

 

Is olive oil Paleo? Yep! Your go-to cooking oil is A-OK to consume on the Paleo diet. It’s packed with monounsaturated (read: heart-healthy) fats and antioxidants, and it’s super anti-inflammatory. Try to stick with unrefined olive oil, and be careful about how you store it: Too much air, light and heat can make olive oil go rancid (and lose its health benefits in the process).



Eva Katalin Kondoros/Getty Images

OK…are other plant oils approved? There are lots of non-animal fats that are Paleo. Coconut oil is always an option, as long as it’s unrefined or “virgin.” Avocado oil is full of monounsaturated fat and has a high smoke point, so it’s great for sautéing. Try macadamia oil in salad dressings or as a garnish: It has the perfect mix of fatty acids, plus tons of monounsaturated fat.

Great! What other fats can I eat? Animal fats like pork lard, beef tallow and duck fat are all Paleo-friendly. So is ghee, because it’s dairy-free. Another easy way to stay on track? Use less cooking oil in general, and reach for Paleo-approved foods that are high in fats themselves, like grass-fed beef, wild salmon and avocado.

RELATED: The 5 Best Bottles of Olive Oil You Can Buy at the Grocery Store

 

This article was from PureWow and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

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