Does AOVE make you gain weight? We analyze the calories in olive oil.

'Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the pillars of the Mediterranean diet, considered the healthiest oil in the world, but how many calories does olive oil have?'

If you are a lover of liquid gold and have recently started a diet to lose weight, or simply want to control your eating, you will want to know if Extra Virgin Olive Oil makes you gain weight or not, right?

Well, you have arrived at the right place, because at Olivarte we are going to tell you how many calories Extra Virgin Olive Oil has, as well as the main benefits it offers and how you can include it in your diet in a balanced way, without having to worry about the scale.

How many calories does Extra Virgin Olive Oil have?

AOVE is a source of healthy fats, such as oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid triglycerides, which are highly beneficial for the body, but like other vegetable oils, it has a high caloric content, although it is nothing to worry about. On the contrary.

In general, the kcal in olive oil are 9 per gram. An amount not high if we compare it with other foods that are indeed harmful to health and promote weight gain. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all calories are equal.

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Benefits and properties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Taking this as a reference, the calories in a tablespoon of olive oil would be approximately 120, although it will all depend on the size of the spoon and the amount of oil it contains.

For example, two tablespoons of olive oil weighing 15 grams each would have 170 kilocalories. But, as a point in favor, it must be said that they are calories that provide countless benefits for our health and are completely necessary. In fact, extra virgin olive oil is considered the healthiest fat that we can eat.

And it is that, the fats provided by AOVE are mainly monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to be very beneficial for cardiovascular health, helping to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL). Likewise, these healthy fats also have positive effects on blood sugar regulation and inflammation reduction.

To have a clearer idea about the caloric contribution of EVOO, we provide you with a table of kcal of Extra Virgin Olive Oil according to the amount:

So, does AOVE make you gain weight or not?

We already know how many calories are in a tablespoon of olive oil, but does AOVE make you gain weight?

The answer is, it depends. Because, like any other caloric food, if consumed in excess, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can make you gain weight, although we would be talking about really abundant amounts, exceeding the recommended amount, and on a daily basis.

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Does olive oil make you gain weight?

On the other hand, if consumed in moderation, as part of a balanced diet, AOVE not only does not cause weight gain, but it can also be a great ally in helping to control weight thanks to its satiating properties and its ability to improve the overall quality of the diet.

Different nutritional studies have shown that taking a tablespoon of EVOO a day helps to have a healthier body mass index (BMI), as well as reducing the risk of obesity or overweight, compared to the consumption of foods high in saturated or processed fats.

How to take EVOO without gaining weight?

The most important thing to fully enjoy all the benefits of AOVE without worrying about gaining weight is to consume it in moderate amounts, always within a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.

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Best olive oil for raw consumption.

A healthy way to consume Extra Virgin Olive Oil is to use it raw, whether by using it to dress salads, roasted vegetables, or toast.

A small amount will be enough to enjoy its flavor and nutrients without exceeding the calories.

Likewise, to avoid overdoing it, you can use measuring spoons, which will allow you to control the amount of oil you use at all times, whether for cooking or dressing.

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What is the best oil for cooking?

And, although it is an oil that is very resistant to high temperatures, which can be perfectly used in cooking, avoid frying the AOVE excessively, as overheating it risks losing some of its properties.

In short, extra virgin olive oil is a product with highly beneficial properties for health that, if consumed properly and in moderate amounts, will not cause you to gain weight.

It is one of the star products of Spanish cuisine and at Olivarte we have a wide catalog of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Jaén, in which we offer you a great variety of high-quality AOVE, all made from the best olives, with an acidity level of less than 0.8%.