When it comes to seed oils, there are strong opinions, evolving science, and a lot of noise. In this special episode of 1,000 Waking Minutes, we revisit my 2023 interview on Sound Bites® podcast with the brilliant Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDCES.

Melissa’s podcast is a go-to for those who want credible, balanced insights, and I’m thrilled to share this conversation with you.

Together, we explored seed oils from all angles: what they are, why they’re controversial, and how to use them effectively in your kitchen. We also tackled common claims around seed oils , helping you make informed choices that align with your health and lifestyle.

WE DISCUSS:

• What exactly are seed oils, and why do they get so much attention?
• Are they the same as vegetable oils?
• The science: What research actually tells us about seed oils and health
• The omega-3 and omega-6 balance: What matters most?
• Why ‘ratio’ isn’t the full picture
• Cooking with oils: Flavor, function, and how to choose the right one
• Fun, practical ways to incorporate different culinary oils into your meals
• A surprising way chia oil can enhance your favorite dishes

Check out Sound Bites® with Melissa Joy Dobbins for more insightful conversations on food, nutrition, and health. You can find her podcast wherever you listen, or visit soundbitesrd.com for all her episodes and resources.

As always, I appreciate you tuning in and sharing your waking minutes with me. Let me know your thoughts, share this episode if it resonates with you, and stay tuned for more balanced, real-world discussions ahead!

CONNECT WITH WENDY:

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Thank you for tuning in to 1,000 Waking Minutes and being part of this journey—together. A huge thank you to our amazing collaborators including our production and marketing teams, and Gabriela Escalante in particular. To the ultra-talented Beza for my theme music, my lifelong friend and artist Pearl Preis Photography and Design, to Danielle Ballantyne, Jen Nguyen, Joanna Powell, and of course, my family and everyone working tirelessly behind the scenes.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER:

The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individual medical or health advice. Always consult with your trusted healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medical treatment.

ABOUT MELISSA:

Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RDN, CDCES – (https://soundbitesrd.com/about-melissa/ )

Melissa is the CEO of Sound Bites® Inc., a food and nutrition communications business where she promotes sound science, smart nutrition and good food. She is also the host of the popular Sound Bites® Podcast where she interviews experts on a variety of topics ranging from fad diets to farming, sharing evidence-based information and realistic solutions to help people enjoy their food with health in mind.

The podcast has been running for more than 10 years, has more than 280 episodes, 1 million downloads and has provided more than 35,000 free CEU activities for RDNs through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. 

Melissa’s background includes clinical nutrition, outpatient counseling, corporate wellness, academia and research. She has extensive media and communications experience and has received numerous awards including the Media Excellence Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2016 and Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2024. 

Melissa has been published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior and Communicating Nutrition: The Authoritative Guide, and served as an expert witness on behalf of the federal government in the FTC trial of Kevin Trudeau who was convicted of nutrition-related fraud in 2013. 

RESOURCES:

1. 15-CEU Course from Sound Bites® Podcast

• Discount code for YOU! CODE: WENDY15 (good until 5/31/25)

2. Catch the original episode here:

• Podcast Episode 248: Seed Oils: Controversy, Claims & Culinary Uses – Dr. Wendy Bazilian https://soundbitesrd.com/podcast-episode-248-seed-oils-controversy-claims-culinary-uses-dr-wendy-bazilian/

3. Sound Bites® Website

4. Culinary Oil Handout: Smoke Point: A Look at Chia Oil and Other Cooking Oils

5. Benexia® is a vertically integrated company that specializes in chia seed ingredients. Their brand Seeds of Wellness produces cold-pressed organic chia oil and chia milk.

REFERENCES:

• International Food Information Council. (2025). Americans' perceptions of seed oils: Survey insights. Food Insight. Retrieved from https://foodinsight.org/ific-spotlight-survey-americans-perceptions-of-seed-oils/
• Industry Intelligence. (2025). Survey finds most Americans view seed oils as healthy, 25% unfamiliar with the term. Industry Intel. Retrieved from https://www.industryintel.com/consumer-wellness/news/international-food-information-council-survey-finds-most-americans-view-seed-oils-as-healthy-25-of-consumers-unfamiliar-with-term-while-37-encounter-it-regularly-in-media-channels-168080586840