How to Avoid Vegetable Oil at Restaurants
Vegetable oil has been gaining increasing attention from the scientific and health communities due to its high omega-6 content, which can cause a range of health issues when consumed in high amounts. In addition, many restaurant-prepared meals are cooked in this type of oil. Therefore, it is important for people to be aware of how to reduce or avoid vegetable oil when dining out. Here are some tips on how to do so:
1. Ask Kitchen Questions
When ordering a meal at a restaurant, ask the server how the meal is prepared and what types of oil are used in the cooking. If the restaurant cooks with vegetable oil, this should be highlighted and if possible, opt for a different dish that is cooked without this type of oil.
2. Go for Dry Heat Cooking Methods
When choosing a meal from the menu, opt for dishes that are cooked with dry heat methods such as grilling, baking, roasting, and broiling, as these methods typically require little to no oil additions.
3. Choose Salad or Roast Vegetables Options
Salads, steamed vegetables, and roast vegetables contain no vegetable oil and make great side dishes or main dishes. Ask for these without dressing to further reduce the amount of saturated fats or added sugar that may come with the dressing.
4. Grill Your Own Food
If available, some restaurants may offer DIY grill options where the customer can cook their own food with little oil. This is a great way to ensure that no added oil is used in the preparation of the meal.
5. Pick Olive or Coconut Oil Based Dressings
Some restaurants may offer olive or coconut oil-based dressings. These are much healthier alternatives to vegetable oil-based dressings and are loaded with beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants.
By following these tips, you can successfully reduce or avoid vegetable oil when dining out and enjoy healthier meals at the same time.
