Healthy Eating Tips

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Pots and Pans
Cast iron and enamaled cast iron are the healthiest pots and pans to use.  Stainless steel and anodized aluminum also appear to be okay, however any nicks or cuts on the surface may allow unhealthy metals within the pan to leak through. There is concern thatTeflon, as it wears and flakes off into food while it's being cooked, may cause health problems. 

Oils
Oils have what is called a smoke point when heated, this is the point at which they start breaking down and becoming rancid.  As disgusting as it sounds, that signature smell that makes our mouths water at restaurants like McDonald's and Chili's is actually rancid oil.  Rancid oils create free radicals which have been linked to just about all disease including cancer, heart disease, auto immune diseases, liver cell injury and Alzheimer's. I've attached a link to a chart of oils and their smoke points but as a general rule, the healthiest oils to cook with are Grapeseed (stored in an opaque container), and Sesame oil.  The smoke point of olive oils vary widely which can be confusing but olive oil is absolutely the best oil to eat cold.  I always suggest olive oil for salad dressings and if you must eat bread, dip it in herbed olive oil instead of butter.