Why Fats Matter
Fats are not to be feared! Ayurveda recognises that healthy fats and oils are vital in our diet. Known as sneha (which also translates to “love” in Sanskrit), fats are carriers of nutrients and bring softness, lubrication and warmth – balancing the dryness, agitation, and instability that are common symptoms in our modern world.
Why Fats Matter
When eaten in moderation, fats stoke the agni (digestive fire) and help to activate spices, carrying their medicinal qualities deeper into the body. They are essential for building healthy cells and nourishing the tissues and are particularly supportive for the nervous system. Just as food cooked without oil can feel dry and unpalatable, a life without proper fat leaves the body undernourished and the mind less resilient.
Healthy fats include ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, and wholefood fats like avocado, nuts and seeds.
Cooking With Oils
Choose oils with a high smoke point when cooking, such as ghee, coconut oil, olive oil (refined), sunflower oil, and avocado oil. The smoke point is the temperature at which oil starts to burn – at this stage, it loses its nourishing qualities and becomes toxic. Generally, refined oils can be safer for cooking at higher temperatures.
For salads, dips, or drizzling, unrefined cold-pressed oils like extra virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil – they have more nutrients but usually have a lower smoke point, which makes them unsuitable for high-heat cooking. Look for ‘cold-pressed’ on the bottle.
The key is to choose oils wisely, respect their cooking properties, and include them in moderation.
Why Ayurveda Recommends Cooking with Ghee
Ghee is essentially clarified butter and makes a great addition to a plant-based diet – it has all the micronutrients and antioxidants of butter but without the water, milk protein (casein) and lactose.
Ghee is unique:
It stokes digestion without aggravating Pitta, and helps with mineral absorption
It cools and alkalises the whole body
It’s sattvic – which means it promotes clarity and calm
It carries the medicinal properties of herbs and spices deep into the tissues
Making ghee on the full moon is an Ayurvedic ritual that imbues the ghee with potent healing moon energy.
Ayurveda recommends introducing ghee gradually, so the body learns to digest and assimilate it well. It’s important to source ghee from suppliers who support animal welfare and sustainable farming methods. It’s also a lovely practice to make it yourself using a good quality organic butter!
Oils Beyond the Plate
Abhyanga (self-massage with sesame oil) is a practice recommended in Ayurveda to nourish the skin, joints, and the nervous system. The skin is our biggest detox organ and has its own microbiome, therefore we need to take care of it in the same way we take care of our internal environment.
Over the past few years I have integrated this practice into my evening routine to improve my sleep, but I have noticed other significant benefits too – such as softer skin and less aches and pains.
There are guidelines for abhyanga in my 7-Day Reset package.
