Why Gen Z Is Canceling Seed Oils—and What That Means for Your Health

Why Gen Z Is Saying "No Thanks" to Seed Oils: The Real Story Behind the Trend

At first, it felt like just another TikTok wellness trend—like oil pulling or sea moss gel. But now, it’s turning into something bigger. We’re talking about the “No Seed Oil” movement, and it’s not just a passing phase. From food influencers to health-obsessed Reddit threads, Gen Z is making a serious statement: seed oils are out, and old-school fats are back.

So what’s going on? Why are people suddenly treating canola oil like it’s the devil? And is there actually any science behind the switch?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Seed Oils—and Why Are They Controversial?

Seed oils are oils extracted from—you guessed it—seeds. We’re talking sunflower, safflower, canola, soybean, corn, and grapeseed. You’ll find them in basically every processed snack, salad dressing, frozen meal, and fast food item in the U.S. They’re cheap to make, have a long shelf life, and were once marketed as the “heart-healthy” alternative to saturated fats like butter and lard.

But here’s the thing: seed oils go through heavy processing, including chemical extraction and high-heat refining. This process can create unstable compounds and oxidized fats—stuff that some wellness folks believe could contribute to chronic inflammation, obesity, and even heart disease.

Is this fear legit? The science is... complicated. Mainstream dietitians say seed oils in moderation aren’t dangerous and are actually better for your heart than animal fats. But the no-seed-oil camp isn’t buying it. They argue that we’re consuming these oils in massive, unnatural amounts—and our bodies haven’t evolved to handle that.

How Gen Z Made It Trendy to Cancel Canola

What started on niche health podcasts and biohacker YouTube channels exploded thanks to TikTok. Search “seed oil free” and you’ll find creators cooking everything in butter, ghee, beef tallow, or avocado oil. The captions read like protest slogans: “No seed oils ever,” “Don’t poison your brain,” “Butter > Big Food.”

Even bigger influencers and celebs have joined the convo, like fitness guru Paul Saladino and Dr. Cate Shanahan, mother of the No Seed Oil movement, who have made seed oils the new health villain.

And it’s not just about food. Some are even tossing out skincare and makeup with sunflower or soybean oil. It’s a full-on lifestyle shift—cleaner eating, ancestral living, biohacking vibes. A rejection of what Gen Z sees as toxic, corporate-fed convenience.

I tried going seed oil free for a week, just to see what the hype was about. And, not gonna lie—it was HARD. Reading labels became a full-time job. Even the “healthy” granola bars and almond butters had canola or sunflower oil in them. But it also made me more mindful. I started cooking more from scratch and realized how sneaky these oils are.

Seed Oil Swap: What Gen Z Is Using Instead

So what’s replacing seed oils in Gen Z’s kitchen?

• Butter – It’s nostalgic, real, and flavorful. It’s also trending hard thanks to the cottagecore-meets-nutrition aesthetic.
• Ghee – Clarified butter used in Indian cuisine, loved for its high smoke point and rich flavor.
• Avocado Oil – More neutral and trendy, it’s like the cool, green cousin of olive oil.
• Beef Tallow – Yeah, this one’s wild. Some TikTokers are literally frying their potatoes in rendered beef fat. It’s giving 1950s diner realness.

The Pushback: Is This Just Fear-Mongering?

Not everyone’s buying into the no-seed-oil hype. Nutritionists warn against fear-based food trends and stress that demonizing ingredients can lead to disordered eating. Plus, there’s a class element to this movement that’s worth calling out. Seed oils are cheap and accessible. Avocado oil? Not so much.

Some also argue the anti-seed oil movement leans too heavily into pseudoscience and cherry-picked studies. It’s not that the concerns are totally baseless—it’s just that we need more research, and fewer viral rants.

What's the Real Takeaway?

Honestly, the seed oil convo is less about nutrition science and more about Gen Z’s need for transparency. We’re over the vague “healthy” labels and marketing BS. We want to know where our food comes from, how it’s made, and how it affects us long-term.

Whether you’re frying eggs in ghee or still rocking canola, the movement is a sign of a bigger shift. Gen Z is reclaiming their food choices—not just blindly trusting whatever’s stocked on the shelves.

And that? That’s powerful.

Stay connected with more spicy takes on food trends and Gen Z culture at Woke Waves Magazine.

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