People, today have become more health conscious than before. Consequently more often than not we find people talking about using low fat cooking oil or making food using very less amounts of oil. While they are a healthy alternative, they can taste a bit bland if not made to look and taste appetising. Olive oil with its strong aroma and flavour is, however, an ideal ingredient for the same.
Sources of olive oil
A staple for both culinary and medicinal purposes, olive oil is filled with calories, antioxidants and of course oleic acid. It is essentially a fruit oil with various types the same available in the market.
The ones most suitable for use in a low fat diet are:
Virgin Olive Oil: It is light oil with an acid content which is also much lower.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is probably the best variety of olive oil and is obtained by mechanically pressing the olives. Olives which are slightly ripe are cold pressed to obtain this oil. Its acidic content is also quite low.
Diets using low fats
These pertain to diets wherein the consumption of fats of a person throughout the day is dramatically reduced. While a diet using low fat is extremely beneficial as a short term weight loss regime, its benefits in the long run are still a matter of conjecture. However, olive oil, with its host of benefits and high calorie content, is an ideal ingredient for making low fat breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as snacks. It can also be consumed daily in food to increase your overall well-being.
Two major benefits of low fat diets
Any diet followed under supervision, is sure to yield positive results, but care must be taken not to over-do things or even do them drastically. Some of the better known benefits of following diets with low fats are:
Control and prevention of obesity: Obesity is the mother of all diseases and needs to be controlled with immediate effect. But this is easier said than done, for, an obese person is invariable a foodie and to cut down on food initially requires a lot of will-power. Hence opting for foods made from mono-unsaturated fats like olive oil etc. , can help make this transition easier by enabling an obese person to savour most of his favourite dishes albeit cooked in a healthy way.
Reduced risk of heart disease: With a cut-down on the intake of saturated and Trans fats, deposition of cholesterol inside the arteries and formation of triglycerides automatically comes down. This reduces the threat to the heart to a great extent and might also help to reverse some of the damage already done.
Low fat cooking oil also need to be combined with low fat foods which occur naturally like beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins etc. Cooking methods for low fat foods generally involves processes like grilling, poaching, broiling, steaming, roasting, boiling and basting unlike the frying that is associated with high fat diets. Use of fresh herbs further helps to make them tastier and much more enjoyable while at the same time giving it a higher nutritional value.
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