Whole-Food Fats & Oils Guide

23 items classified under standard Whole-Food guidelines.

This guide covers all 23 fats & oils classified under Whole-Food guidelines. Whole-Food evaluates foods primarily by processing level, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Avocado Oil Allowed 884kcal
Beef Tallow Allowed 198kcal
Butter Allowed 717kcal
Coconut Oil Allowed 895kcal
Duck Fat Allowed 136kcal
Flaxseed Oil Allowed 884kcal
Ghee Allowed 876kcal
Lard Allowed 902kcal
Olive Oil Allowed 900kcal
Sesame Oil Allowed 884kcal
Walnut Oil Allowed 884kcal
Heavy Cream Limited 340kcal
Palm Oil Limited 134kcal
Peanut Oil Limited 900kcal
Safflower Oil Limited 900kcal
Sunflower Oil Limited 900kcal
Canola Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Cooking Spray Not Allowed 792kcal
Grapeseed Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Margarine Not Allowed 579kcal
MCT Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Shortening Not Allowed 884kcal
Vegetable Oil Not Allowed 862kcal

Classification Breakdown

11 Allowed — These fats & oils are minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. 5 Limited — These items have moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. 7 Not Allowed — These are an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives.

The target is NOVA group 4 — ultra-processed foods built from extracted components and additives.

Allowed Fats & Oils (11)

Avocado Oil

Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Avocado Oil falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ghee and Flaxseed Oil for calories, ranking 10 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Avocado Oil across all diets

Beef Tallow

Allowed

With 198kcal calories per 100g, Beef Tallow earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, beef tallow also provides 14.7g protein and 14.9g fat per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, beef tallow sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Heavy Cream at 340kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

198kcalCalories
14.7gProtein
14.9gFat
0.1gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Beef Tallow across all diets

Butter

Allowed

With 717kcal calories per 100g, Butter earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, butter also provides 81.1g fat and 643mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Margarine and Cooking Spray for calories, ranking 6 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Salted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g
Unsalted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g

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Coconut Oil

Allowed

At 895kcal calories per 100g, Coconut Oil falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, coconut oil also provides 99.1g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Shortening and Olive Oil for calories, ranking 17 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Virgin (unrefined)892kcal0g99.1g0g0g
MCT Oil862kcal0g100g0g0g

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Duck Fat

Allowed

Duck Fat is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 136kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 18.7g protein per serving. Among the 23 items in this category, duck fat sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Beef Tallow at 198kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

136kcalCalories
18.7gProtein
4.6gFat
3.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Flaxseed Oil

Allowed

With 884kcal calories per 100g, Flaxseed Oil earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, flaxseed oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Avocado Oil and Sesame Oil for calories, ranking 11 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Flaxseed Oil across all diets

Ghee

Allowed

With 876kcal calories per 100g, Ghee earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, ghee also provides 99.5g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Vegetable Oil and Avocado Oil for calories, ranking 9 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

876kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
99.5gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Ghee across all diets

Lard

Allowed

At 902kcal calories per 100g, Lard falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Canola Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

902kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Lard across all diets

Olive Oil

Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Olive Oil earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Coconut Oil at 895kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Extra Virgin884kcal0g100g0g0g
Light/Refined884kcal0g100g0g0g

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Sesame Oil

Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Sesame Oil falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Flaxseed Oil and Walnut Oil for calories, ranking 12 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Sesame Oil across all diets

Walnut Oil

Allowed

With 884kcal calories per 100g, Walnut Oil earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Sesame Oil and Grapeseed Oil for calories, ranking 13 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Walnut Oil across all diets

Limited Fats & Oils (5)

Heavy Cream

Limited

With 340kcal calories per 100g, Heavy Cream earns a Limited classification on Whole-Food. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, heavy cream also provides 36.1g fat per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, heavy cream sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Margarine at 579kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Heavy Cream340kcal2.8g36.1g2.8g0g
Light Cream195kcal3g19.1g3.7g0g

Compare Heavy Cream across all diets

Palm Oil

Limited

Palm Oil is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 134kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Among the 23 items in this category, palm oil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Duck Fat at 136kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

134kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
2.7gFat
24.8gCarbs
1.5gFiber

Compare Palm Oil across all diets

Peanut Oil

Limited

Peanut Oil is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 900kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Olive Oil at 900kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Peanut Oil across all diets

Safflower Oil

Limited

At 900kcal calories per 100g, Safflower Oil falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, safflower oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Peanut Oil at 900kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Safflower Oil across all diets

Sunflower Oil

Limited

At 900kcal calories per 100g, Sunflower Oil falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, sunflower oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Safflower Oil at 900kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Sunflower Oil across all diets

Not Allowed Fats & Oils (7)

Canola Oil

Not Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Canola Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. Beyond the primary classification, canola oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sunflower Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Canola Oil across all diets

Cooking Spray

Not Allowed

Cooking Spray is classified as Not Allowed on Whole-Food, with 792kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. Nutritionally, it also delivers 78.7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Butter and Vegetable Oil for calories, ranking 7 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

792kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
78.7gFat
20.7gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Cooking Spray across all diets

Grapeseed Oil

Not Allowed

Grapeseed Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Whole-Food, with 884kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Walnut Oil and MCT Oil for calories, ranking 14 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Grapeseed Oil across all diets

Margarine

Not Allowed

Margarine is classified as Not Allowed on Whole-Food, with 579kcal calories per 100g. This means it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. It also contains 65g fat and 694mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 23 items in this category, margarine sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Butter at 717kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

579kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
65gFat
0.8gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Margarine across all diets

MCT Oil

Not Allowed

MCT Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Whole-Food, with 884kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Grapeseed Oil and Shortening for calories, ranking 15 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare MCT Oil across all diets

Shortening

Not Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Shortening falls into the Not Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between MCT Oil and Coconut Oil for calories, ranking 16 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Shortening across all diets

Vegetable Oil

Not Allowed

With 862kcal calories per 100g, Vegetable Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is an industrially formulated product with extracted ingredients and additives. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cooking Spray and Ghee for calories, ranking 8 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

862kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Vegetable Oil across all diets