Olive Oil-is it worth it?

chrlslove7
chrlslove7 Posts: 136 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've always had this notion that olive oil was always OK to eat and cook with. I know it's a healthy fat and that there are nutritional benefits but I checked the back of the bottle tonight (yes, it was a little too late) and it was 120 calories per 1 tbsp! I couldn't believe I had been blindly using this stuff and not even accounting for it in my food diary. Should I keep using it (I'm on a strict 1200 calorie diet till December) or is veg. oil spray ok to use?

Simple question! Thanks everyone.

Replies

  • amnsetie
    amnsetie Posts: 666 Member
    olive oil is worth it

    http://www.orangutans.com.au/Orangutans-Survival-Information/About-Palm-Oil.aspx
  • LupaNera
    LupaNera Posts: 170
    In my experience is a big yes. Since I switched only to olive oil extra virgin (and when possible not filtered) and in general a healthy diet my blood tests are perfect. Previously I had high cholesterol etc.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    It's fine, within your fat and calorie allowance. High in calories does not always mean unhealthy.

    But since you are on such low calorie allowance such a calorie dense food might not be a good choice.

    Based on your ticker you have lost 19lb while not even tracking it, So what does that tell you?
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    Yes.

    There's not much difference in calorific contents of oils. You could try using a pastry brush to apply.

    One thing to note - olive oil has a low burn temperature, which means it is not suitable for frying. Use rapeseed oil (also one of the 'healthier' oils instead for cooking with high heats such as stir-fries. Olive oil also imparts a flavour which is good for some dishes but others are better with a plainer oil.
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    I love it. I use it on popcorn instead of butter.

    Awesome stuff.
  • LupaNera
    LupaNera Posts: 170
    I use it for cooking also but you need to take care to do it over a low flame. It takes longer but since I relax cooking is ok for me.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    It's better used raw rather than cooked but you do need to calorie count it.
  • pixtotts
    pixtotts Posts: 552 Member
    i think as long as your not one of those who likes to dip bread in olive oil i strongly believe the benefits far out way its high calories ... (my old housemates used to i dont understand the appeal at all). Maybe consider how much you use.... do you use a table spoon where you could get away with a teaspoon... i only use olive oil, i find the others taste horrid (actually cant say i really like olive oil) but i do use the smallest amount i put about a teaspoon full in the pan then use kitchen towel to spread it thus removing any unnecessary oil.
    x
  • headzy
    headzy Posts: 21 Member
    Yes, I think it is the better option. I use it for frying steak, chicken and fish. Don't need alot when using a good quality non stick pan.
  • chrlslove7
    chrlslove7 Posts: 136 Member
    Alrighty then. Yeah I use my non-stick pans and love the way it tastes with chicken. I have chicken almost every day for dinner so I guess I was just thinking that IF I cut it out of my diet, it would save me at least 600 calories a week. That seems significant to me so that's why I ask. Thanks for your input all!
  • Tank_Girl
    Tank_Girl Posts: 372 Member
    Olive oil is worth it, I use rapeseed oil as well but its slightly higher cal

    The olive oil im using is 90cal per 10ml serving
    The locally produced rapeseed oil is 100cal per 10ml serving

    Also on another note oliveoil is great for the skin, I use it as a massage oil sometimes
  • KeithChanning
    KeithChanning Posts: 202 Member
    We use extra virgin olive oil (some infused with lemon, thyme or garlic) almost exclusively. OP mentioned veggy oil spray - we have extra virgin olive oil in a sprayer, and use it regularly.
  • Laoch_Cailin
    Laoch_Cailin Posts: 414 Member
    Olive oil is well worth it. And if you are losing while using it blindly maybe just control it more to 1tbsp per day and allow for those extra calories..up your daily target to 1300.

    I use olive oil for salads, but use hemp oil for cooking (has a higher heating point).

    Good luck in getting to your goals x
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Get some Coconut oil instead. Much better for you all round. Smells fantastic & actually HELPS you lose weight
  • skinnyitaliannn
    skinnyitaliannn Posts: 187
    Its so worth it! I love my olive oil .. I even use it on my skin (trust me it can be used for SO much more then just cooking with) ;p
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    Extrain virgin olive oil or oilseed rape. Both very high in omega 3 - an essential EFA that you need to eat in your diet, your body cannot make it.
  • Irish_eyes75
    Irish_eyes75 Posts: 475
    Yes! I make sure I measure it though or else I'll just coat the entire pan. YUM
  • WVMedicineMom
    WVMedicineMom Posts: 15 Member
    I use olive oil on my baked potatoes now instead of butter or margarine.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I am not a heavy user of olive oil. Mostly because I am cheap and I cook a ton. I would probably forgo the calories.
  • kclarkss
    kclarkss Posts: 69 Member
    Get some Coconut oil instead. Much better for you all round. Smells fantastic & actually HELPS you lose weight

    I would love to use this coconut oil, doctor recommended it. But..... It is so expensive, I haven't bought any.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    On a random note, olive oil is great for the skin! My complexion is so much better since using it
  • careyannal
    careyannal Posts: 161
    Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I will definetly start measuring my olive oil from now on when I roast veggies. I've just been sprinkling it on the pan.... yikes! :ohwell:
  • auntiemsgr8
    auntiemsgr8 Posts: 483 Member
    In my experience is a big yes. Since I switched only to olive oil extra virgin (and when possible not filtered) and in general a healthy diet my blood tests are perfect. Previously I had high cholesterol etc.

    I use Olive oil almost exclusively but had not heard about filtered or non. What is the difference? I may also try the coconut and rapseed as additional options.
  • obrendao
    obrendao Posts: 318
    Olive oil has HDL. HDL carries excess cholesterol back to the liver for reprocessing, lower blood levels of cholesterol. It will mitigate the effects of LDLs (bad fats) in a sense. High levels of HDL usually indicate lower levels of triglycerides and LDLs. This is what your doc likes to see, because he believes that excess serum LDLs and triglycerides are VERY bad because they contribute to blood vessel damage and hardening of the arteries.

    If you spent your life eating fats that are solid at room temp, and replace them with oils such as EVOO, then you have done yourself a favor.

    We all need fat in order to live, and carry out our metabolic processes, and olive oil is one of the best ways to go.
  • LupaNera
    LupaNera Posts: 170
    In my experience is a big yes. Since I switched only to olive oil extra virgin (and when possible not filtered) and in general a healthy diet my blood tests are perfect. Previously I had high cholesterol etc.

    I use Olive oil almost exclusively but had not heard about filtered or non. What is the difference? I may also try the coconut and rapseed as additional options.
    I currently live more or less in Italy and still learning. There are many types of olive oil. The one that is unfiltered has also some fiber and some deposits of olives. It is the type that is less processed. I also learned to stay away from everything that is not cold pressed.
  • HoneyIShrunktheMom
    HoneyIShrunktheMom Posts: 76
    You don't need to use an entire tablespoon! I always measure it out and I use 1-2 TEASPOONS at the most for sauteeing veggies or cooking meats. Nothing is good to just " open and pour" except for plain ol' water! ;)
  • lauras777
    lauras777 Posts: 237 Member
    I love olive oil, but yes, it is high in calories...try getting a "Misto" you can pick one up at most housewares stores (Bed bath and Beyond) etc., it allows you to use your own olive oil, and mist it on rather than pour it out which can help you to use much less and still coat your pan/food.

    :smile:
  • emsicle_o
    emsicle_o Posts: 162 Member
    I'd say olive oil (or flaxseed or rapeseed) are far better than vegetable or sunflower oils. If you're worried about how much you use, buy a spray bottle from a garden centre or hair dressers and fill it with your oil. Much cheaper than those rip off sprays in the supermarket
  • Struckhoff
    Struckhoff Posts: 4 Member
    When they say that olive oil isn't bad for you, they mean that it's lower in cholesterol and bad fats than other oils, and therefore a healthier choice. They don't mean it's a good diet food-- All fats are very high in calories. The idea behind switching to olive oil should still be to keep your intake low, which means counting it against your calorie intake. It's definitely not a "free" diet food.
  • Joannie30
    Joannie30 Posts: 415 Member
    I cook with olive oil every day.

    You'll notice my ticker says "48lbs lost"

    :-) X X X

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