? The benefits of olive oil

Queen of the Cretan (or Mediterranean) diet , olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants . As part of a balanced diet, it contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases but also to the rise in the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.

No need to pour liter in each of your dishes ... Like all oils, it is composed only of lipids . A tablespoon contains about 100 calories (9 calories per gram). Watch out for excess weight gain!

How to choose it?

To enjoy all the benefits of olive oil , prefer extra virgin oils, first cold pressed . If you can, leave the oils too cheap. Generally, the quality of the oil is proportional to the price. Check also its origin on the label (Italy, France, Greece: preferably AOC), and beware of oils too light and not very fragrant ...

How to cook it?

Olive oil can be used both raw (for the preparation of dressing sauces for example) or for cooking your meat, fish and other fries!

However, to enjoy all its benefits, prefer the flood : the vitamins are indeed destroyed during cooking, although the fatty acids that compose it are of fairly good quality.

One rule: Vary the oils!

In addition, olive oil contains less vitamin E than sunflower oil and fewer essential fatty acids than those found in oils such as rapeseed or soya . A good reason to vary the oils and the pleasures. You will enjoy their different nutritional benefits (in total, 2 to 3 spoons of oil a day are enough to cover all your needs)!