EATING HEALTHIER: TIPS ON COOKING WITH CBD OIL

CBD has become popular with the demand for CBD products increasing. CBD oil has attracted much hype since it is touted to remedy different conditions, including pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. This hemp-derived oil has now become part of the pantry goods, and many people use the oil for cooking. Are you new to CBD oil and would like to try it? This article gives you tips on exploring the potential of CBD oil in the kitchen.

Go Organic

While there are many CBD brands, choosing the best CBD oil can be challenging. However, the first step of choosing quality products is choosing a brand offering organic CBD oil. Check a brand’s website to see if it uses organic hemp for manufacturing its CBD oil. Most organic CBD oil brands are USDA-certified, so this should be present on their websites. What’s more, look for the manufacturing process and find out whether the company uses all-natural ingredients which are organic-friendly. The farming methods should also be natural and free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides that may infiltrate the end product.

Try Savory

CBD oil tinctures are among the most popular ways of taking CBD oil. However, many people find its bitter taste and earthy aftertaste unbearable and opt for CBD-infused gummies and mints. However, this is not the only way to enjoy CBD oil. You can cook with CBD oil and enjoy what you prepare. For a start, try savory dishes, such as pasta or sauces. You can drizzle CBD oil over the dishes as you would with extra virgin oil, and you will enjoy the end product.

Start with Basic Recipes

Being a CBD oil enthusiast is one thing, and being versed in preparing dishes with CBD oil is another. Although one could have used CBD oil for a long time, they may not enjoy cooking products that feature CBD oil. Therefore, experiment with basic recipes while starting out cooking with CBD oil as a new regimen. For instance, you can have the oil as a final touch on your sautéed veggies or pizza. Alternatively, you put a drop of CBD oil in your hot or cold afternoon tea or your favorite coffee.

Start Slow and Keep the Dosages Low

Keep the dosages low and gradually increase gradually when starting on this new regimen. There are no recommended dosages for CBD oil, but 5- 10 mg might be ideal for beginners. If you don’t feel the effects, you can add another 5 mg. Keep it low until you like it before increasing the dosage.

Be Patient with the Effects

Although CBD oil is not a drug, so to speak (except for Epidiolex), those who have taken it claim that it has some effects. However, resist the temptation to fasten the effects, especially if you try CBD oil for cooking for the first time. Allow enough time, at least an hour, for the effects to surface. In cooking with CBD oil, you are ingesting the oil with food, so the ‘first-digestion effect’ is to be expected, where the food must be digested first before the body realizes the desired results.

Regulate Heat

CBD oil is a chemical compound, and external factors affect the oil’s effectiveness, composition, and efficacy. The most preferred extraction methods, such as CO₂, incorporate low temperatures to preserve the compound’s composition and properties. When cooking with CBD oil, keep your temperatures low, preferably below 320 degrees Fahrenheit. It is better to use CBD oil as a final touch instead of putting it directly on the heat.

Work with Other Fats

CBD oil is fat-soluble, and most brands use MCT oil or hempseed oils as base carriers to maximize the cannabinoid’s bioavailability. Incorporate other fats when using CBD oil for cooking to enhance absorbability. For instance, you can try coconut, extra virgin olive, or avocado oils. Besides, butter, ghee, and margarine are great fats you could incorporate in your CBD-based dishes.

Go Slow on Alcohol after Taking a Meal Featuring CBD Oil

More information regarding CBD oil is needed, including its long-term and short-term effects. Still, some CBD users have reported lightheadedness and dizziness after taking CBD oil. Of course, CBD oil is less likely to make you ‘high,’ but using too much CBD oil, especially full-spectrum formulated oil with traces of the psychoactive THC, might yield some side effects. Therefore, avoid alcohol which will easily take a toll on you after CBD oil. CBD oil could interact adversely with alcohol, although there is a need for more studies on this.

Conclusion

CBD oil is now part of the mainstream, and many people stock it in the pantry for cooking. If you are new to CBD oil, this article shares practical tips for cooking with CBD oil. The golden rule is to keep the dosage low since you are uncertain about how the body will respond to the cannabinoid.