Tallow vs. Seed Oils: Why Your Choice of Fat Matters

by Emily Tam August 6, 2025

There's a quiet revolution happening in our food choices – a conscious shift away from industrial, highly processed oils towards better, traditional fats. For too long, we've been told that certain fats are "bad," leading to widespread confusion and often, less healthy dietary choices. Today, we're diving into the fat debate, pitting traditional animal fats like tallow against the modern industrial seed oils that have become ubiquitous in our food.

At Jackson's, we believe in wholesome, anti-inflammatory ingredients, which is why we always use only quality avocado oil in our snacks. That said, we recognize tallow as a better fat option than seed oils as part of a movement that prioritizes less processed ingredients.

Understanding Seed Oils: A Modern Dietary Misstep

What exactly are seed oils? We're talking about oils derived from seeds like canola, soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, grapeseed, and rice bran. While they might sound benign, their journey from seed to oil is far from natural. These oils undergo extensive industrial processing, involving high heat, harsh chemical solvents (like hexane, of which trace amounts can be left behind and consumed – a concern), bleaching, and deodorizing to make them palatable and stable on supermarket shelves.

But the issues go deeper than processing.

The Health Hazards of Seed Oils:

Omega-6 Overload & Inflammation: Seed oils are packed with Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. While some Omega-6 is essential, the sheer volume in the modern diet creates a severe imbalance with impact to some autoimmune diseases. Historically, our ancestors consumed a diet with an Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio closer to 1:1. Today, thanks largely to seed oils and processed foods, that ratio can be as high as 10:1 or even higher. This is a significant concern because when Omega-6 fatty acids break down, they can become pro-inflammatory. Omega-3s, conversely, are powerfully anti-inflammatory. This imbalance can cause a host of chronic issues.
Oxidation and Dangerous Chemicals: The high heat and chemical processing make seed oils unstable and prone to oxidation, especially when heated for cooking. This process creates harmful oxidized byproducts and trans fats. Furthermore, in environments like restaurants and food manufacturing facilities where oils are reheated over and over again, dangerous chemicals can be produced, further increasing the potential for harm.
Cellular Impact & Disease Link: The pervasive inflammation fueled by seed oils is implicated in many chronic diseases, from heart disease and metabolic syndrome to autoimmune conditions. The concerns are growing in the medical community.
As Dr. Tara Narula, Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, highlighted, "There has been recent research that shows some of these seed oils in the lab or research has been shown to fuel triple negative breast cancer cell growth. There's concern around that."
Nutrient Deficiency: Unlike traditional fats, seed oils are largely devoid of beneficial fat-soluble vitamins and other vital nutrients.

Read: The “Hateful 8” Seed Oils to Avoid

Tallow: A Resurgent Traditional Fat Hero

Stepping back in time, we find a hero in the kitchen: tallow. Simply rendered beef fat, like maybe your grandma used, tallow has been a cornerstone of traditional cooking for centuries. Our ancestors understood its value not just for flavor, but for its stability and nourishing properties.

Nutritional Profile & Benefits of Tallow:

Stable Fat Composition: Tallow is rich in saturated and monounsaturated fats, which are highly stable and resistant to oxidation, even at high cooking temperatures. This means less harmful byproducts when you cook.
Nutrient Powerhouse (especially grass-fed): Tallow, particularly from grass-fed beef, is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K2, as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), all of which contribute to overall health.
High Smoke Point: Its high smoke point (480 °F / 250 °C) makes it great for high-heat cooking like frying and roasting, maintaining its integrity and preventing the formation of harmful compounds.
Satiety and Flavor: Tallow promotes satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer, and imparts a rich, delicious flavor to foods.

Read: What exactly is beef tallow?

Jackson's Commitment to Seed oil-free Living

While tallow is a fantastic traditional fat, we understand that not everyone incorporates animal fats into their diet. That's why Jackson's is committed to only using premium avocado oil in all our products. Plus, we have found avocado oil produces the best crunch for our avocado oil kettle chips.

Our avocado oil is completely seed oil-free, aligning with our mission to offer truly better snacks. It’s a powerhouse of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, similar to the healthy fat found in olive oil. With a high smoke point, it’s an excellent choice for various culinary applications. Furthermore, our quality avocado oil is minimally processed ensuring its nutrients and integrity are maintained.

Crucially, premium avocado oil serves as a delicious and versatile vegan, seed oil-free alternative to tallow and other animal fats, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to avoid industrial seed oils without compromising their dietary preferences.

Read: Anti-Inflammatory Snacks to Amplify your Diet

Making Better Choices in Your Kitchen and Food Buying

The message is clear: the choice of fat in your diet matters immensely for your diet. Being informed consumers is key. Read labels diligently to spot hidden seed oils in processed foods, and empower yourself by swapping out inflammatory seed oils in your home cooking and grocery choices.

The evidence is mounting: industrial seed oils are a modern dietary experiment with concerning consequences. It's time to return to the wisdom of traditional fats like nutrient-dense tallow and embrace excellent modern alternatives like premium avocado oil. By making informed choices about the fats you consume, you're investing directly in your long-term vitality.

At Jackson's, our dedication to clean, wholesome ingredients and healthy fats means you can trust every bite of our snacks. We're here to make your journey to better food choices delicious and easy. Join us in choosing wholesome, healthy fats.

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Tallow vs. Seed Oils: Why Your Choice of Fat Matters

Understanding Seed Oils: A Modern Dietary Misstep

Tallow: A Resurgent Traditional Fat Hero

Jackson's Commitment to Seed oil-free Living

Making Better Choices in Your Kitchen and Food Buying

Sea Salt Super Veggie Straws in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Wavy Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Variety Pack Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 1oz (Pack of 30)

No Seedy Oils Here

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Sea Salt

Wavy Sea Salt

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