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But new research says these seed oils might be the most dangerous thing in your kitchen.
Let’s explore why health experts are now calling them the “liquid cigarettes” of the modern diet.
What Are Seed Oils?
Seed oils are industrial oils extracted from:
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Sunflower
- Cottonseed
- Canola (rapeseed)
- Safflower
They undergo:
- High heat
- Chemical solvents (like hexane)
- Deodorizing and bleaching
This creates a clear, odorless oil but also oxidized molecules harmful to the body.
Why Are They Harmful?
These oils are:
- High in omega 6 fatty acids
- Low in omega 3 (anti inflammatory)
This omega imbalance causes:
- Chronic inflammation
- Gut issues
- Weight gain
- Fatty liver
- Hormonal imbalances
- Even links to cancer and Alzheimer’s (ongoing studies)
Refined = Chemically Altered
Refined oils are stripped of:
- Antioxidants
- Nutrients
- Fiber
And replaced with: - Free radicals
- Trans fats (in small traces)
These silently damage your cells every day.
Indian Cooking Makes It Worse
Indian meals often use:
- Reused oil
- High heat frying
- Too much oil per meal
Each time you reheat, oxidized particles multiply causing even more harm.
How Seed Oils Sneak Into Everything
- Chips
- Biscuits
- Instant noodles
- Fried snacks
- Packaged foods
Even so-called “healthy snacks” often use refined oil.
What Doctors Are Saying
“We’re seeing fatty liver, PCOS, and gut inflammation in 16 year olds. Diet is the #1 cause.”
Dr. Mansi Shah, Gastroenterologist
Healthier Swaps for Daily Cooking
Cold pressed mustard oil
Wood pressed groundnut oil
Coconut oil (for frying)
Ghee (best for Indian cooking)
Avocado or olive oil (for salads)
Avoid:
“Refined” label
Vanaspati
Vegetable oil blends
What to Do Now?
- Don’t trust the word “heart healthy” on packs
- Read labels for hydrogenated/ refined oils
- Switch gradually to natural fats
- Cook with less oil overall
Parting Thoughts:
Seed oils were never a part of Indian tradition.
They came with industrial food and brought silent health chaos.
Go back to ghee, mustard oil, coconut oil like your daadi used to.
She wasn’t just cooking. She was protecting you.
3. What Skipping Breakfast Every Day Is Doing to Your Brain and Body
“I’ll eat later.”
“Just chai is enough.”
“I’m too busy.”
Sound familiar?
In India, breakfast has become the most ignored meal especially among students, office goers, and urban youth.
But research says:
Skipping breakfast is like starting your car with an empty fuel tank.
Let’s uncover how this one small habit is silently harming your brain, hormones, and future health.
🧠 Your Brain Needs Breakfast
Your brain runs on glucose. After 8 hours of sleep, it’s starving.
No breakfast =
- Slower memory
- Reduced attention span
- Poor decision making
- Irritability
Especially in school going children, skipping breakfast can drop academic performance by 30–40%.
Skipping Breakfast = Hormonal Imbalance
When you skip food in the morning:
- Your cortisol (stress hormone) rises
- Blood sugar dips
- Hunger hormones (ghrelin) spike later in the day
→ This leads to overeating at night, fat storage, and even insulin resistance (early diabetes risk).
Mood Swings, Anxiety & Brain Fog
Ever felt grumpy till lunch?
That’s because skipping breakfast messes with:
- Serotonin (happy hormone)
- Cortisol rhythm
- Energy levels
Your mind feels foggy. You lose focus. You’re more prone to anxiety and burnout.
🩺 Metabolic Slowdown & Weight Gain
Contrary to belief, skipping breakfast doesn’t help weight loss.
In fact, it:
- Slows your metabolism
- Promotes fat storage
- Causes sugar cravings later
Your body thinks it’s in “starvation mode.”
Intermittent Fasting vs. Skipping Breakfast
Intermittent fasting (IF) is planned, mindful, and balanced.
Skipping breakfast without nutrients or hydration = mindless starvation.
Don’t confuse the two.
What an Ideal Indian Breakfast Looks Like
Protein: Moong dal cheela, boiled eggs, paneer toast
Complex carbs: Poha, oats, upma, multigrain roti
Healthy fats: Nuts, ghee, avocado
Hydration: Coconut water, jeera water, plain water
Optional: Tea/coffee after food
Signs You Might Be Hurting Yourself
- Craving junk in the evening
- Morning acidity or bloating
- Poor focus or headaches
- Always feeling tired
- Gaining weight despite small meals
How to Build the Habit
- Start small: Even 1 banana + 5 almonds is a start
- Prep overnight: Poha mix, soaked oats, boiled eggs
- Make it tasty: Add spices, ghee, seasonal fruits
- Set reminders: “Eat before 10 AM”
- Break the “just chai” cycle
Parting Thoughts:
A good breakfast isn’t a luxury.
It’s fuel for your body, food for your brain, and a hug for your hormones.
You wouldn’t skip giving your phone battery charge.
Why do it to yourself
