Fresh Reads & Wellness Insights
India Uses 2X the Oil We Need - Here’s How to Use Just Enough
Let’s start with a quick stat: According to health and nutrition reports from W.H.O., most Indian households use nearly twice the amount of oil we actually need. That’s not because we’re doing anything wrong - it’s just what we’re used to. A bit more in the tadka, a little extra ‘for taste’ and before you know it, we’ve crossed the 2-3 tablespoons/day mark recommended by the WHO. The thing is, you don’t need to give up oil to eat better. You just need to know how much is enough - and how to use it right. Let’s break it down. How much oil is too much oil?For a healthy adult, 20-30 grams of oil per day (roughly 2-3 tablespoons) is the recommended limit. That includes all cooking oil, not just what you pour into the pan - but also what goes into processed foods, snacks, dressings, and so on. In most homes though, we tend to go well beyond that - mostly out of habit. The “more oil = more flavour” mindset sticks around, even when it’s not always true. To be honest, oil doesn’t come with any instructions or recommendations. So we end up using more than we need - we eyeball it. We free-pour. And we assume a little extra won’t hurt.But when we’re cooking every day, a little extra adds up fast. 3 simple ways to use just enough Start with awareness: Pay attention to how much oil you’re using per meal. Just measuring it once can give you a better idea of your baseline. Use portion-controlled tools: Smart bottles and spray oils help you pour (or spritz) only what you need - nothing more, nothing less. Reframe flavour: Most of the flavour comes from your spices, herbs, and how you cook - not how oily the dish is. Once you see that, it’s easier to go lighter. You’re already cooking with care.Now it’s just about getting the quantity right - without second-guessing it.
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What Is An Oil Smoke Point - And Why Should You Care About It?
So you’re heating your pan, adding in oil, all ready to cook - and suddenly, it starts to smoke. It’s not the dramatic stir-fry kind of sizzle, it smells… burnt? You might have just hit the smoke point of your oil. Let’s unpack what that really means. What is a smoke point?The smoke point is the temperature at which oil starts to break down and release visible smoke.Once it crosses that point, the flavour changes, the nutrients start to degrade, and the oil just doesn’t do its job as well anymore. Different oils have different smoke points. And depending on what you’re cooking, using the right one makes a noticeable difference! For example, Groundnut Oil has a smoke point of around 160–170°C which makes it perfect for medium-heat daily cooking, whereas Mustard Oil has a smoke point of 190–200°C, making it great for tadkas, frying and more! This doesn’t mean you can’t use Groundnut Oil for frying or tadkas - it just means you have to watch out for smoke and a burning smell to keep it under control! Why should you care?Because cooking with oil that’s past its smoke point can ruin your food’s flavour, making it taste slightly bitter or burning the spices. Also, in day-to-day cooking (especially if you like frying, roasting, or tadkas), the oil is going through seriously high heat. So it helps to know which oil can handle the pressure - and which one’s better for gentler stuff like drizzling or sautéing! Picking the right oil for the right heatNot sure where to start? Here are three things to keep in mind when choosing your oil: Think about how you cook. Are you mostly sautéing, roasting, air-frying, or just drizzling over salads? Your method matters more than you think. Check the label - but keep it simple. Look for oils that mention how they’re processed (cold-pressed, physically refined, etc.), and avoid ones with long lists of additives. Use only what you need. No matter the oil, portion control makes all the difference. Too much of anything - even the good stuff - can weigh you down. Using the right oil for the right cooking method helps you retain nutrients, avoid burnt flavours, and cook smarter. Because healthy cooking isn’t just about what you use - it’s about how you use it!
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How Many Times Can You Really Reuse Oil?
Let’s be honest - we’ve all done it. We’ve deep-fried our favourite snacks and there’s a half-pan of oil left - the last thing we want to do is waste it. So we store it for next time. Totally fair. But how many times of reusing it is too many? Here’s what you need to know to reuse oil smartly - without overdoing it. When oil is heated again and again, it starts to break down. Each time it’s reused, its quality drops, its smoke point lowers, and it can start affecting the flavour of your food. So while reusing is okay, you’ve got to watch for signs that the oil’s past its prime. 3 Signs It’s Time to Let Your Oil Go: It smells off. If your oil has a burnt, rancid, or stale smell - it’s been used to its maximum. It looks darker or cloudy. A deep colour change indicates oil breakdown and leftover bits in it. It foams up or smokes quickly. That’s the oil telling you it’s unstable and its smoke point is too low. How to Store Reused Oil: If you're saving your leftover oil to use it right, make sure you store it the right way: Cool it fully first Strain it through a fine sieve or cloth to remove crumbs or food bits Store it in a clean, airtight glass container (no plastic) Keep it away from sunlight or heat Always label or note the date of use so you don’t forget what it was used for or how many times. At the end of the day, it’s not about never reusing oil - it’s about knowing when enough is enough. A little awareness goes a long way in making your everyday cooking simpler (and cleaner).
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Exploring Long term effects of chemically processed cooking oils
Cooking oil processing The following are effects of sunflower oil:Heart Health Moderator: The unsaturated fats in sunflower oil may support heart health by helping manage cholesterol levels, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Incorporating it into your cooking can be a heart-smart choice. These fats may help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, promoting cardiovascular health.Immune Support: Sunflower oil offers immune system benefits due to its vitamin E content, a potent antioxidant that supports immune function. Vitamin E helps maintain the integrity of immune cells, enhancing their ability to combat infections and illnesses. Brain Health: Brain and nerve health are intricately connected, and sunflower oil contributes positively to both. The omega-6 fatty acids present in sunflower oil play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of nerve cells. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Research suggests that sunflower oil may have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially assisting in managing inflammation in the body. Skin and Hair Nourishment: Rich in vitamin E, sunflower oil promotes healthy skin and hair. It's not just for cooking; it's a natural addition to your beauty routine.Weight Management Support: Sunflower oil can help you maintain weight when used in moderation. It contains healthy fats that provide a feeling of fullness, reducing the likelihood of overeating. Gem's Gold can be a valuable addition to a weight management plan. It is low in saturated fats and has a high smoke point, making it suitable for various cooking methods. Its light and mild flavor also make it a versatile choice. Incorporating Gem's Gold Edible Oil, a health-conscious and sustainable cooking oil, into a balanced diet can help control calorie intake while promoting satiety and enhancing the taste of your meals.Antioxidant Properties: Gem's Gold Refined Sunflower Oil contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin, boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being. Digestive Health: Gem's Gold Sunflower Oil is easy to digest, making it gentle on the stomach. It can help soothe digestive discomfort and promote healthy digestion. The oil's light texture and high-quality composition make it a preferred choice for those with sensitive stomachs.Versatile and Flavorful: Gem's Gold Sunflower Oil, a premium quality cooking oil, has a neutral flavor that doesn't overpower the taste of your dishes. It blends seamlessly with various ingredients and cooking styles, allowing the natural flavors of your ingredients to shine through. Whether you're sautéing, frying, baking, or dressing salads, Gem's Gold Refined Sunflower Oil, a locally sourced cooking oil, is a versatile companion in the kitchen.The Modern Kitchen Essential: Why Gem's Gold Stands Out?In today's fast-paced world, where health and culinary preferences go hand in hand, choosing the perfect cooking oil can be quite a challenge. With countless edible oil options available, it's essential to choose a product that not only meets your health requirements but also enhances the taste and quality of your culinary creations. Discover what makes Gem's Gold a brand trusted by millions of mothers, making it the best sunflower cooking oil catering to both health and culinary needs.Unmatched Quality Assurance: Tested & Cleared for You Gem's Gold goes above and beyond to deliver a product of exceptional quality to consumers. What sets Gem's Gold apart is our rigorous 80-point quality check process. This commitment to quality ensures that only the finest locally sourced and sustainable cooking oil reaches valued consumers. Our assessments encompass visual inspections, smell and taste tests, and scrutiny of the oil's aesthetic appeal. We also closely monitor the acidity level concerning free fatty acids during these evaluations.
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