Unrefined virgin sunflower oil?

[tevunah]

 I know sunflower oil is on the "allowed, but not recommended" list, but that applies to the refined kind that's used in restaurant cooking.  What about the unrefined sunflower oil?  Since sunflower seeds are ok, I'm wondering if this unrefined version is ok.  It's dark yellow (almost orange), pungent and it's amazing.  

Try some sunflower oil in a small container with salt, and then dip vegetables into it: scallions, cabbage, cucumbers, celery -- basically anything.  Just incredible. 

 

But is it ok on the Whole30 program or will I have to look wistfully at my unrefined sunflower oil bottle in September?  

[ladyshanny]

The sunflower recommendation applies to all sunflower oil (refined or unrefined) except for high oleic sunflower oil which is permitted as it almost exactly matches the fatty acid profile of olive oil. Virgin just refers to the processing, not the actual fatty acid content.   No-go on the unrefined one you have there. It's only 30 days.

[tevunah]

I know that's what they say in the book, but it seems strange to me, because "high oleic", as far as I can tell, means it's highly processed.  Yes, it matches the fatty profile of olive oil closely, but it's also very processed.  And "unrefined" means that it's basically squeezed from sunflower seeds.  Sunflower seeds themselves are ok on Whole30 -- so why isn't the oil from them ok?  If I were to make this oil myself in my kitchen from the sunflower seeds, would it somehow turn a Whole30-approved ingredient into a non-approved ingredient because I was squeezing its juice? 

 

Not trying to argue for the sake of arguing, just want to understand the principle behind it.  

[Tom Denham]

Seeds in general have issues and we recommend they be consumed in moderation (if at all). Seeds of course are not refined at all, so the processing is not the issue here, it is the fatty acid profile, etc. So your sunflower oil ups your intake of fats that are less than ideal. 

Lots of things taste good, but are not health promoting. Everything you eat that is not health promoting takes the place of something else you could be eating that would facilitate your body achieving better health. That is the principle involved in saying go easy on this stuff... you have better choices.