eating olive oil
Mistapholeezkat
Posts: 80 Member
I have been adding olive oil to my dishes, mainly dip a whole grain bread in it and eat it. I absolutely love it but I am wondering if its worth the spike in calories.....like how much is too much in a day? Are there lower calorie versions that are just as good for you. I have been using extra virgin.
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Extra virgin makes no difference whatsoever in calories. It's just about the flavour. All oils are fats that have 9 calories per gram, no exceptions.
If you enjoy bread dipped in a bit of olive oil and it fits in your calories and macros, go for it! I agree, it's delicious. Just measure out the quantities carefully.0 -
Fat has the same calories regardless of the source. Fat is a necessary nutrient, and it makes food taste better and helps with satiety. So, yes it's worth the calories. Just don't go crazy with it.0
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It's worth it if you like it. Extra virgin oil is good for you, although there are some rumors (?) out there saying that most of what is sold as olive oil here is not actually the good stuff.0
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It's worth it if you like it. Extra virgin oil is good for you, although there are some rumors (?) out there saying that most of what is sold as olive oil here is not actually the good stuff.
It's not just a rumor. When it comes it evoo, domestic is best if you're in the US.
http://consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/09/how-to-find-the-best-extra-virgin-olive-oil/index.htm0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Fat has the same calories regardless of the source. Fat is a necessary nutrient, and it makes food taste better and helps with satiety. So, yes it's worth the calories. Just don't go crazy with it.
So essentially there isnt going to be another oil to use instead.
Calorie wise, I'm not sure it's worth it. =\
Some every now and then is fine, but if you're eating 6-8tbs just from olive oil a day you may want to evaluate accordingly.0 -
well, why don't you just log it and find out?0
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I prefer grapeseed oil myself because it doesn't have a taste at all and has a higher smoke point. I used to use olive oil but it's heavy taste does not go with everything.
Calorie wise, fat is fat it's going to be the same for any oil.0 -
How about oil and balsamic vinegar? Get all the taste and fewer calories. I dose out my fats like medicine, it packs such a heavy punch.0
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That is one thing I want to learn to make at home.Need2Exerc1se wrote: »It's worth it if you like it. Extra virgin oil is good for you, although there are some rumors (?) out there saying that most of what is sold as olive oil here is not actually the good stuff.
It's not just a rumor. When it comes it evoo, domestic is best if you're in the US.
http://consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/09/how-to-find-the-best-extra-virgin-olive-oil/index.htm0 -
As others have said, if you like the taste, then it's worth it. Just be sure that you're logging it accurately.
I know I gained a TON of weight a number of years back when I was living with my dad and he had some Italian clients. He used to come home after working for them with freshly baked bread and olive oil from Italy. This happened a few times each week. I wasn't counting calories then and was dipping a lot of delicious freshly baked bread into delicious Italian olive oil. I miss those days. But not the weight...0 -
The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
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I make a point to use olive oil wherever I can. There are a lot of benefits to eating olive oil. As long as you're logging it and it fits your calories and macros, there's no need to reduce how much you eat. The only time you're eating "too much" is if it's causing you to exceed your calorie/fat macro goals (or leaving you so few calories outside of the oil that you can't meet your nutritional/satiety needs).0
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snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Does the quality also have to do with if it is the first press and from what regions the olives came from ?
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They actually name the brands that made the Consumers Report cut here: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/04/would-the-real-olive-oil-please-stand-up/
Looks like the non-legit big name brand stuff funneled through Italy is being cut with soybean oil and beta carotene. Not cool.0 -
Stupid question...
How does EVOO not make a difference in the calorie department?0 -
peachyfuzzle wrote: »Stupid question...
How does EVOO not make a difference in the calorie department?
All we meant was, EVOO vs. regular olive oil = no difference.
Of course, EVOO vs. not eating any at all = big difference.0 -
I think she just meant that using extra virgin vs. regular makes no difference, as all oil is basically just fat and has the same calories.0
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consideritdonemi wrote: »They actually name the brands that made the Consumers Report cut here: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/04/would-the-real-olive-oil-please-stand-up/
Looks like the non-legit big name brand stuff funneled through Italy is being cut with soybean oil and beta carotene. Not cool.
Yeah... that's why I take it with a pinch of salt when people tell you to eat olive oil because it's good for you. I don't think I've ever seen any of the brands that passed that test, lol.
At the same time, I cannot stand olives, so maybe I wouldn't like the real stuff anyway.0 -
Thank you for the above link! ;-)0
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We get olive oil from a local market that labels the individual bottles (repacked from the wholesale packaging, presumably) with press dates marked and polyphenol testing. (Polyphenols, like the rest of the antioxiants in olive oil degrade fairly quickly after pressing.)
We bought a Chilean olive oil with really high polyphenols. OMG, it has a TASTE. It's good, but intense and bitey ... it's not something you'd cook with or make mayo out of. I can't imagine being able to eat enough of it to make a material difference health-wise.0 -
snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Does the quality also have to do with if it is the first press and from what regions the olives came from ?
I don't know about the regions, but definitely with whether if it's first press and whether it was cold-pressed without chemical processes.
There are several different denominations defining quality, and Extra Virgin basically means just that - first press, mechanical. At least here in Europe (the name being protected - meaning companies need to fulfil certain criteria to be able to call their oil extra virgin).
I am not sure if it guarantees the cold press though. Most olive oil companies specify it.. Also worth noting that it's not just about the taste, but about how healthy it is as well. 
The best of the best is the one qualified as "DOP", whose origin is protected and the process they are made with controlled. Not sure if they exist outside Italy though, I already struggle finding them in Germany.0 -
snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Fuuuuuu…. I already pay 14 euros a bottle outside Italy.
I'm going to have to start using alternative oils to fry... 0 -
Greek Olive Oil is best!0
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snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Does the quality also have to do with if it is the first press and from what regions the olives came from ?
As another noted, "first press" and "extra virgin" mean the same thing. I've seen them pressing the olives and the oil runs a lovely fresh green color, and I love the odor of freshly processed olive oil. Olive oil comes from all regions of Italy, and has different flavors. The quality has to do with the acid content--the lower the better. The stuff from down south is a little more pungent, while the northern oils are delicate. There are oil experts that have tastings, just like wines. Also mentioned is the DOP, which means that the oil is protected from it's origin and garranteed high quality. I don't know if you can get DOP in the States. Most Italians buy oil from their home towns, or people they know, so that they have a high quality oil in the home. We also receive oil as gifts, just like wines. I have read about mixing oils and slapping an Italian brand name on. It' a problem that I don't have any advice for. I hope this can help people to understand olive oils and their levels of quality. Best. 0 -
That olive oil is a lot more nutritionally useful than the "whole grain bread" so yes, it's worth the calories.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »It's worth it if you like it. Extra virgin oil is good for you, although there are some rumors (?) out there saying that most of what is sold as olive oil here is not actually the good stuff.
It's not just a rumor. When it comes it evoo, domestic is best if you're in the US.
http://consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/09/how-to-find-the-best-extra-virgin-olive-oil/index.htmconsideritdonemi wrote: »They actually name the brands that made the Consumers Report cut here: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/04/would-the-real-olive-oil-please-stand-up/
Looks like the non-legit big name brand stuff funneled through Italy is being cut with soybean oil and beta carotene. Not cool.
Thanks for the info I might give the TJ's California Estate a look, I get mine from there but don't recall right off which type (name). The bottle in the photo on the link is not the same so it's likely something different.
Really appreciate those of you that have added info to this discussion, it's been interesting!
"Testing for Truth in Labeling:
In September 2012, Consumer Reports published its results from testing 23 olive oils from Italy, Spain and California, and only 9 passed the test as actually being extra virgin olive oil, as claimed on the label. Two that failed? Bertolli and Goya. Two that passed? McEvoy Ranch and Trader Joe’s California Estate."
http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/04/would-the-real-olive-oil-please-stand-up/ (this is from the link from up above)
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GingerbreadCandy wrote: »snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Fuuuuuu…. I already pay 14 euros a bottle outside Italy. I'm going to have to start using alternative oils to fry...
Butter and coconut oil are actually better to fry in (the saturated fats and compounds that give them their flavor hold up to heat better than the unsaturated fats and compounds in olive oil). If you like the more "exotic" flavors of EVOO, then try ghee or unrefined, virgin coconut oil. (Note: you should be able to do ghee, even if you can't do butter; the process to make ghee removes nearly all of the proteins and sugars from butter, leaving only the fats). Lard, tallow, or poultry fat are also good options.
For a cold use oil, try avocado or a tree nut oil (I hear people rave about macadamia and walnut oil a lot).consideritdonemi wrote: »They actually name the brands that made the Consumers Report cut here: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/04/would-the-real-olive-oil-please-stand-up/
Looks like the non-legit big name brand stuff funneled through Italy is being cut with soybean oil and beta carotene. Not cool.
Yeah... that's why I take it with a pinch of salt when people tell you to eat olive oil because it's good for you. I don't think I've ever seen any of the brands that passed that test, lol.
At the same time, I cannot stand olives, so maybe I wouldn't like the real stuff anyway.
Olive oil is good for you. The problem isn't with real olive oil, it's with the fact that you're not actually consuming olive oil, or you're consuming olive oil cut with a not so beneficial (or even rather detrimental) oil.rainbowbow wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Fat has the same calories regardless of the source. Fat is a necessary nutrient, and it makes food taste better and helps with satiety. So, yes it's worth the calories. Just don't go crazy with it.
So essentially there isnt going to be another oil to use instead.
Calorie wise, I'm not sure it's worth it. =\
Some every now and then is fine, but if you're eating 6-8tbs just from olive oil a day you may want to evaluate accordingly.
Getting adequate fats in, in general, is well worth the calories. If someone chooses to get their fat from 6-8tbsp of olive oil each day, there's nothing wrong with that as long as they're able to get their other nutrients (considering 1tbsp = 119 calories, so 8tbsp = 952 calories, there's still plenty of room for other foods there for most people). In fact, fat is one of the most nutritionally sounds options you can choose, as it's required for cell and brain health, Vitamin D production, and the absorption and use of several vitamins and (less directly) minerals, and more.0 -
Dragonwolf wrote: »GingerbreadCandy wrote: »snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Fuuuuuu…. I already pay 14 euros a bottle outside Italy. I'm going to have to start using alternative oils to fry...
Butter and coconut oil are actually better to fry in (the saturated fats and compounds that give them their flavor hold up to heat better than the unsaturated fats and compounds in olive oil). If you like the more "exotic" flavors of EVOO, then try ghee or unrefined, virgin coconut oil. (Note: you should be able to do ghee, even if you can't do butter; the process to make ghee removes nearly all of the proteins and sugars from butter, leaving only the fats). Lard, tallow, or poultry fat are also good options.
For a cold use oil, try avocado or a tree nut oil (I hear people rave about macadamia and walnut oil a lot).
Ooooh, I would have never considered olive oil as "exotic." The idea someone might is actually quite funny seen from over here. Sorry, not making fun of you, just a bit of unexpected cultural difference there.
Basically, I fry in olive oil because I am Italian and that is literally the only source of fat we ever used to cook. It feels weird to even think of using anything else. Butter was used to spread for breakfast and in cakes, and animal-based fats were always presented to me as the devil when it comes to cooking and frying.
Thanks for the tips though. I will give coconut oil a shot if ever it comes down to it.
An oil I love for cold use, but which is equally rare, is actually Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil. That thing is delicious, but has a tendency to stain everything a dark green.0 -
GingerbreadCandy wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »GingerbreadCandy wrote: »snowflake954 wrote: »The very best quality olive oil is extra virgin--cold press. There is going to be a big shortage of olive oil here in Italy. There isn't much of a crop this year due to an extremely warm, wet year. We are going to have to do with last years stores which probably won't last until next fall. Prices are already on the rise. We can only hope next year is better.
Fuuuuuu…. I already pay 14 euros a bottle outside Italy. I'm going to have to start using alternative oils to fry...
Butter and coconut oil are actually better to fry in (the saturated fats and compounds that give them their flavor hold up to heat better than the unsaturated fats and compounds in olive oil). If you like the more "exotic" flavors of EVOO, then try ghee or unrefined, virgin coconut oil. (Note: you should be able to do ghee, even if you can't do butter; the process to make ghee removes nearly all of the proteins and sugars from butter, leaving only the fats). Lard, tallow, or poultry fat are also good options.
For a cold use oil, try avocado or a tree nut oil (I hear people rave about macadamia and walnut oil a lot).
Ooooh, I would have never considered olive oil as "exotic." The idea someone might is actually quite funny seen from over here. Sorry, not making fun of you, just a bit of unexpected cultural difference there.
Basically, I fry in olive oil because I am Italian and that is literally the only source of fat we ever used to cook. It feels weird to even think of using anything else. Butter was used to spread for breakfast and in cakes, and animal-based fats were always presented to me as the devil when it comes to cooking and frying.
Thanks for the tips though. I will give coconut oil a shot if ever it comes down to it.
An oil I love for cold use, but which is equally rare, is actually Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil. That thing is delicious, but has a tendency to stain everything a dark green.
Hazelnut oil is also great for cold use. Lovely in a salad or drizzled over brie.
I often save the grease from bacon to fry eggs. It gives them lots of flavor.0
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