Olive Oil & Weight Management: What the Experts Say (and Why I Never Count the Points)
🎧 Listen to this story:
Olive Oil & Weight Management: What the Experts Say (and Why I Never Count the Points)
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you’ve probably been told to watch your fat intake—and maybe even to measure your olive oil down to the last teaspoon. But what if that advice is missing the bigger picture?
Let’s talk about olive oil, weight loss, and what the professionals—and my personal journey—have to say.
What the Experts Say
Nutritionists and researchers agree: olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is not your average fat. It's a core part of the Mediterranean diet, which is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest diets in the world. According to studies published in medical journals like The New England Journal of Medicine, people following this diet—even with generous olive oil use—often lose weight or maintain a healthy weight over time.
Here's why:
-
It promotes satiety. Olive oil helps you feel full, reducing the urge to snack.
-
It reduces inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance.
-
It supports metabolic health. It’s been shown to improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar balance, and gut health.
But here's the catch—quality matters. The benefits come from real, raw, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil—not the bland-blended, over-processed kind you’ll find on most supermarket shelves.
My Truth: I Never Count the Points on Our Olive Oil
I’ve been through my share of ups and downs when it comes to weight. I've done Weight Watchers, counted points, tracked everything—from feta to fruit. But there’s one thing I never count: olive oil from our family farm.
I don’t go dipping slice after slice of bread into it (even though I’d love to). I make my Greek salad with portioned feta, I log every tomato and cucumber—but never the oil. Especially when it’s raw and fresh from our trees in Laconia, Greece. That oil isn’t just a calorie source—it’s a source of life. I’ve seen it heal my skin, soothe my digestion, and keep me full with just a drizzle.
And here’s the thing: it works.
Not just on the scale—but in my mind and my body. I feel nourished, satisfied, and connected to the land that raised me.
How I Use It Daily
-
I dress all my salads with raw olive oil, never store-bought dressings
-
I drizzle it over beans, lentils, grilled vegetables
-
I use it to finish soups instead of cream or butter
-
I always try to use our olive oil raw at the end of cooking—because that’s when it keeps all its goodness and tastes the most alive.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to eat better, don’t fear olive oil—just respect it. Let it elevate your food and your health. Know where it comes from, how it’s made, and treat it like the treasure it is.
And if you're ever in doubt, come taste it from the source.
Don’t just count calories—count quality. Start with a spoonful of the real stuff, and let your olive oil do more than dress your food—let it nourish your life.
And if you’ve ever wondered why some olive oils are golden while others are deep green, do not miss next week’s post: ‘The Color of Olive Oil—What It Really Means.’”