In a world increasingly concerned with holistic wellness and natural living, understanding what goes into our bodies is paramount. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” However, often overlooked, yet just as crucial, is the adage, “You are what your food is cooked in.” This is where the Seed Oil Scout comes into play—a new app that allows conscious consumers to expose and avoid the usage of industrial seed oils at restaurants near you.
The Lowdown on Industrial Seed Oils
Industrial seed oils, also known as vegetable oils, are prevalent in our modern-day food supply. They include soybean, canola, grapeseed, rapeseed, peanut, safflower, sunflower, corn, and rice bran oils. Despite their widespread use, many people remain unaware of the potential health risks associated with these oils and their intense manufacturing processes.
These oils are produced using an extreme extraction method. Seeds are first gathered and cleaned, then they are heated to extremely high temperatures, which causes the oils within to oxidize. The oil is then extracted using a chemical solvent, usually hexane [1]. Next, it is cleaned with more chemicals to remove the solvent, followed by a bleaching and deodorizing process to make the oil palatable [2]. The result is an oil that is heavily processed and contains a multitude of chemicals from the extraction process.
Moreover, these oils are incredibly high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed in excess, can lead to inflammation, a root cause of many chronic diseases [3]. They are also associated with a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, and obesity [4].
Introducing Seed Oil Scout
Seed Oil Scout is a smartphone app available on both iOS and Android platforms. Its mission is simple: to empower health-conscious diners with information about the cooking oils used in their favorite restaurants. The app’s innovative features allow you to map out, talk to staff, and share reports about restaurants that prioritize their customers’ health by using healthier cooking oils.
The user-friendly interface makes it easy for you to find restaurants near you that use healthier alternatives to seed oils. You can read and share reports from other community members, adding a layer of transparency that’s typically absent when dining out. Even better, you can contribute to this community by talking to restaurant staff about their cooking oil and sharing your findings.
How to Use Seed Oil Scout
Using Seed Oil Scout couldn’t be simpler. After downloading the app, you can immediately begin exploring local restaurants.
1. Exploring Restaurants: You can easily view the restaurants near you that prioritize health-conscious cooking. Detailed information, such as the type of oil used and feedback from other users, is available for each listing.
2. Talking to Staff: If the information you need isn’t available, the app encourages you to talk to the restaurant staff about their cooking oils. The app even provides a guide on how to approach this conversation.
3. Sharing Reports: After gathering information, you can share your findings with the community. The app allows you to upload your report quickly and easily, contributing to a more transparent dining culture.
4. Staying Informed On the Go: Whether you’re at home or traveling, Seed Oil Scout keeps you informed. The global restaurant database ensures that you can make healthy dining decisions, no matter where you are.
Conclusion
With the Seed Oil Scout app, you can navigate the often confusing world of dining out with confidence. By exposing the use of industrial seed oils, this tool allows you to make informed decisions about your food and contribute to a more transparent and healthier food industry. It’s time we take control of our health, one meal at a time. Seed Oil Scout is here to guide the way.
References
Footnotes
- Dutton HJ. “Hexane miscella refining.” Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. 1979;56(3):269–274. doi:10.1007/BF02671516.
- Warner K, Orr JC. “Degumming, refining, and bleaching soybean oil.” Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. 2001;78(3):265-269. doi:10.1007/s11746-001-0243-2.
- Simopoulos AP. “The importance of the omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio in cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.” Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2008;233(6):674-688. doi:10.3181/0711-MR-311.
- Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Majchrzak-Hong S, et al. “Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73).” BMJ. 2016;353:i1246. doi:10.1136/bmj.i1246.
