Monday, July 4, 2011

Question: Is it possible to use too much olive oil?

Short answer: Yes.

Slightly longer answer: Yes, and here's why.

Amongst oils, olive oil has a sterling reputation. This is because olive oil is a rich source of a little thing with a big name called "monounsaturated fat." These fatty acids are typically thought of as "good" fats because they have been shown to improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raising HDL (the good cholesterol).

The problem is that "good" fats are still fats. And all fats are extremely high in calories. A single tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains about 120 calories, all of which are from fat.  A good guideline to remember is that only about 25 to 30 percent of your daily caloric intake should be from fats. This includes the monounsaturated kind.

I'll use the fabled "2000 Calorie Diet" to demonstrate how easily this can get out of hand. Sticking to the low end and having only 25% of your diet from fat, that would allow you 500 calories from fat over the course of a day. That's roughly equal to the calorie content of 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Keep in mind, however, that doesn't leave room for fat to enter your body by any other source that day. No dairy, no meats, no nuts, no grains.

While olive oil is the good fat and you should try to make it constitute most of your fat intake throughout the day, it needs to be used in moderation. Stick to around 1 or 2 tablespoons a day and you'll keep your heart healthy without packing on the pounds.

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