Best Cooking Oils For Diabetes

Article Category: Nutrition

Author: Shifa Fatima, MSc.

Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Apoorva T, MHM.

Last Reviewed: April 20, 2022


Introduction to Cooking Oils and Diabetes

Oil is abundantly available in nature, and in our bodies too. It is made up of three kinds of fats – saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats. The fats present in oil are digested in our bodies and converted to fatty acids, which are then used by our bodies to perform multiple functions.

Many people these days prefer to give up oil entirely, since they believe it is bad for their health - but this is not true. Oil offers many benefits for our bodies. Several oils are good sources of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are beneficial for the heart. They help reduce inflammation, and aid in the proper absorption of vitamins A, E, D, and K. They give us energy and lubricate the bone joints and muscles. Furthermore, they are good for brain function and healthy skin.


Quick List: Best Cooking Oils for Diabetes

  1. Macadamia Nut Oil
  2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  3. Coconut Oil
  4. Flaxseed Oil
  5. Canola Oil
  6. Rice Bran Oil
  7. Sesame Seed Oil
  8. Avocado Oil
  9. Peanut Oil
  10. Sunflower Oil

Detailed Guide to Best Cooking Oils for Diabetes

If you have diabetes and are wondering which oil is best for diabetes, here are some of the best oil for diabetes available:

1. Macadamia Nut Oil

Fatty Acid Profile: 1:1 ratio for Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Can be used in all forms of cooking, other than frying and high-heat grilling

Availability: Can be rather expensive and is not widely available in India

Recommendation: If you can find macadamia nut oil, it is one of the best diabetes oil and you must add it to your diet.

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Can be used for sautéing crisp vegetables, baking healthy fat sweets, and dressing up fresh salads. Works as a healthy substitute for butter, margarine, or shortening in recipes.

Availability: Readily available everywhere

Special Note: The healthful antioxidants and deep, rich flavour of extra-virgin olive oil are preserved through cold pressing.

3. Coconut Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Can be used in all types of cooking, including frying on high heat. Can also be spread on salads.

Recommendation: One of the best cooking oil for diabetic patients.

4. Flaxseed Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: NOT suitable for cooking due to very low smoking point. Can immediately get rancid if exposed to low amounts of heat.

Storage: Always store in the refrigerator

Recommended Use: Drizzle the oil on top of soups, pasta, and salads

5. Canola Oil

Source: Plant-based oil derived from the rapeseed plant

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Can be used for all types of cooking

Recommendation: Try cold-pressed canola oil

6. Rice Bran Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Recommendation: One of the best oil for diabetic patients

7. Sesame Seed Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Suitable for high-heat cooking

8. Avocado Oil

Source: Made from avocados

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Goes well with both savoury and sweet meals

Additional Uses: Can be used to enhance both the inside and the outside of your health. A nutrient-rich mask for your face and hair or balanced meals can both be prepared using high-quality avocado oil.

Alternative Products: Avocado oil mayonnaise is a healthier alternative to conventional mayonnaise that is high in saturated fat

Recommendation: All the benefits make it a good cooking oil for diabetics

9. Peanut Oil

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:

Cooking Uses: Delectable substitute for butter and shortening that supports cardiovascular health. Rich in healthy fats, sumptuous desserts taste fantastic when flavoured with roasted peanut oil. Use peanut oil to give a crisp Chinese chicken salad depth for a healthier balance.

10. Sunflower Oil

Source: Made from sunflower seeds

Nutritional Profile:

Key Benefits:


Which Oil is Bad for Diabetes?

It is better to stay away from refined oils because they are devoid of all vitamins and natural fibre and encourage the production of trans fats. Avoid oils that have undergone heat treatment during oil extraction because cold-pressed oils are a preferable option.

Oils to Avoid:


Bottom Line

Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to give up oil consumption altogether, because oil has many health benefits. However, oil contains many calories, so it is important to control the amount of oil you consume in a day.

The successful management of diabetes starts right from your kitchen. Make sure you use the right oils in your cooking, so you can control and even improve your health. Include a combination of healthy oils such as macadamia nut oil, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, rice bran oil, and sesame seed oil into your diet to manage your diabetes successfully.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which oil should I avoid if I have diabetes?

Oils to avoid with diabetes are palm oils, hydrogenated oils, shortening, margarine, and processed foods as much as possible.

Is Ghee good for diabetes?

Many health coaches and macrobiotic nutritionists recommend the consumption of ghee for people with diabetes. Ghee works like a medicine for people with diabetes, as it is rich in fatty acids, helps in metabolizing sugar, and keeps blood sugar balanced. Adding ghee to rice helps better digest the sugar present in rice.


Medical Review Process

Our articles undergo extensive medical review by board-certified practitioners to confirm that all factual inferences with respect to medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, and protocols are legitimate, canonical, and adhere to current guidelines and the latest discoveries.


References


Disclaimer

This website's content is provided only for educational reasons and is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical advice. Due to individual differences, the reader should contact their physician to decide whether the material is applicable to their case.


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