Seed Oils: What’s the Debate All About?

Published on 6 June 2025 at 07:00

In recent years, seed oils have become one of the most hotly debated topics in the world of nutrition. From TikTok trends to health podcasts, people everywhere are starting to question what’s really going into their food — and how it could be affecting their long-term health.

So, what’s all the fuss about seed oils? And where does Snac A Protein stand on the issue?

What Are Seed Oils, Anyway?

Seed oils are vegetable oils that come from — you guessed it — seeds. The most common ones include:

  • Sunflower oil
  • Canola (rapeseed) oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Corn oil
  • Cottonseed oil
  • Safflower oil

They’re often used in processed foods, crisps, salad dressings, baked goods, and frying oils because they’re affordable, have a neutral taste, and a high smoke point.

 

Why Are Seed Oils Controversial?

The debate mainly centers around two things:

 

1. Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Seed oils are high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. While omega-6s are essential for your health, many people are consuming far too much of them — especially compared to omega-3s.

An imbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 has been linked in some studies to increased inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation, in turn, is associated with conditions like heart disease, obesity, and other metabolic issues.

 

2. How They’re Made

Many seed oils are made through industrial processes that involve:

  • High-heat extraction
  • Chemical solvents (like hexane)
  • Deodorization and bleaching

This raises concerns about the production of unstable compounds called oxidized lipids, which may not be great for health.

Is All Seed Oil Bad? Not Necessarily.

It’s important to remember: context is everything. The quality of the oil, how it’s processed, and how it’s used matter.

  • Cold-pressed or expeller-pressed oils (like some organic sunflower oils) are minimally processed and don’t carry the same concerns.
  • Overconsumption of ultra-processed foods with highly refined seed oils is more of an issue than small amounts of oil in balanced meals or snacks.

 

Our Approach at Snac A Protein

At Snac A Protein, we avoid seed oils wherever possible — and in fact, our products are free from added seed oils.

We’re not here to create just another protein snac. We’re here to make high-protein, feel-good bakes and cookies that you can trust. That’s why we carefully select every ingredient, favouring whole foods like oats, nut butter, fruit, and high-quality chocolate.

We also use micellar casein protein and vegan protein options — both chosen with purpose — and every item is handcrafted in small batches, not mass-produced in a lab.

We know some ingredients sourced from suppliers (like chocolate or dried fruit) may occasionally contain trace amounts of oils — but we choose the cleanest versions available and are always transparent about what goes into our bakes.

 

What This Means for You

When you choose Snac A Protein, you’re choosing snacs that:

  • Avoid unnecessary additives and seed oils
  • Are high in protein and slow-releasing energy
  • Use real, natural ingredients you can pronounce
  • Taste like a treat but fuel you like a pro

Whether you’re training, working, parenting, or just snac'ing smart — we’ve got your back (and your macros).

Final Thoughts

We believe Snacs should be simple, delicious, and nourishing — not filled with questionable oils or ultra-processed ingredients. The seed oil debate highlights the need for better choices in the snack aisle, and we’re proud to be part of that shift.

 

Better Snacs = better fuel = better you.

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