Hormone Balancing Product Swap Out: Canola Oil for REAL Olive Oil (PLUS: Tips for finding REAL Olive Oil)

Did you know that Canola oil is highly processed and requires synthetic antioxidants to prevent it from going rancid too quickly?

It is also high in Omega 6 (pro-inflammatory) fats, which can throw off the ratio of healthy fats we are consuming and trigger chronic inflammation (leading to cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s). 

Instead, we prefer REAL Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is high in antioxidants & anti-inflammatory properties that can assist in lowering rates of inflammation, heart disease, depression, dementia and obesity! It's primarily made up of monounsaturated fat which is a heart healthy fat and a staple of the Mediterranean diet. In our opinion, it also tastes WAY more delicious and enhances the flavor of the foods you cook with. 

But be aware, there are a TON of imposter extra virgin olive oils on the shelves in grocery stores, local markets and even health stores.

Here are a few tips to find the most authentic olive oil:

Look for bottles that say "extra virgin" and ideally cold-pressed or expeller-pressed. The phrase "extra-virgin" by itself doesn't guarantee that it's 100% legit but without it, you're always going to get a low grade oil. 

Look for a harvesting date on the label to know that the oil is still fresh.

Look for a third-party certification seal. The European Union's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Italy's DOP, or the "COOC Certified Extra Virgin" seal from the California Olive Oil Council for California-made oils. 

Shop for olive oil that comes in a dark glass bottle that can protect light from entering and damaging the vulnerable fatty acids. Avoid oils that come in a plastic or clear bottle

Smell the oil to sniff out the imposters!Fake olive oil might taste greasy, artificial, rancid, flavorless, or just off putting. Real olive oil should smell and taste green, bright, peppery, earthy, grassy or a combination of the above. You can also find delicious extra virgin olive oils infused with herbs like rosemary, basil and garlic that create unique flavor boosters for all kinds of meals.

If you ever have the chance to do an olive oil tasting at a vineyard or bottle shop, we'd highly recommend it. You can put these tips to the test and taste different kinds of oils so you can develop a sense for what you like and get familiar with the "good stuff." 

Last but not least, when cooking with extra virgin olive oil, it's best for drizzling on top of your foods as the finishing touch or in homemade salad dressings & dips. For high heat cooking, use healthy fats like coconut & avocado oil as they won't go rancid! 

Bottom Line: Healthy Fats like extra virgin olive oil help to keep our blood sugars balanced, turn on fat burning, and fuel our brains so that we feel sharp, alert & happy! Ways to add it into your diet: Drizzle on top of a Caprese Salad, mix into a dressing, turn into a homemade pesto, swirl with balsamic and dip into sourdough bread, or use as a flavor enhancer for your cooked meat & seafood dishes! 

Check back next week for another "Better For You: Hormone Balancing Product Swap"& let us know how your search for a high-quality extra virgin olive oil goes!