Olive oil, which is also known as the “liquid gold” has been a part of many healthy diets for centuries. Although they were mainly used in Mediterranean cuisine, people are realising the health benefits and trying to incorporate them into their diet in many ways. Many studies have also linked olive oil with many important health benefits like low LDL cholesterol levels, improved brain health, better bone health, and even anti cancer effects. According to experts, these benefits are due to the high monounsaturated fatty acids in these oils. If you are looking for an option to use olive oil in your snack or diet routine, this is the right content for you.

Why Does Olive Oil Deserve a Place in Your Diet?

Olive oil is known for its plethora of health benefits. For instance, it is rich in heart-healthy fats, anti-inflammatory compounds and different types of antioxidants. Apart from cooking, you can also integrate this oil into different types of healthy snacks and dishes. From baked goods to savoury dishes, this oil is very versatile to enhance the flavour and texture of your snacks with its richness. 

Before you know more about the specific ways to incorporate this oil into your snack routine, let’s see why this oil is considered the best when compared to other fats and oils available in the market. This oil, especially the virgin olive oil variety is loaded with monounsaturated fats and many other powerful antioxidants. Consuming them in moderation can be beneficial for your heart, brain as well as overall well being. 

Below Mentioned are some of the Top Health Benefits of Using Olive Oil:

Heart Health

One of the most praised health benefits of this oil is its role in promoting heart health. Being rich in monounsaturated fats, they help you to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) while boosting or maintaining HDL (good cholesterol) in the body. This can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. This is one of the main reasons why most researchers believe that the Mediterranean diet, which is very protective of health, is because of the high consumption of olive oil in this region.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Compounds like oleocanthal in this oil have anti-inflammatory properties which are similar to ibuprofen. Therefore, they are capable of reducing even chronic inflammation in the body which is linked to many illnesses, including cancer and heart disease. 

Rich in Antioxidants

Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants. They contain polyphenols and vitamin E, which can protect the body from oxidative stress. This is a condition that can damage your cells and even lead to different chronic diseases. Regular yet moderate consumption of this oil can boost the antioxidant levels in your body. This can improve your overall health. 

Aids in Weight Management

Although olive oil contains fat, the monounsaturated fats are linked to better weight management. These fats promote satiety, which means you will feel fuller for a longer period. This is a great way to reduce the overall calorie intake and manage your weight with ease. 

Enhancing your Snack Routine with Olive Oil

Drizzle on Roasted Vegetables

This is one of the simplest and tastiest ways to incorporate olive oil into your diet. You should use different types of roasted veggies like carrots, zucchini, bell peppers and sweet potatoes. Later, drizzle olive oil and some herbs or spices. This will give a very unique taste and texture to the veggies which makes it easy to consume. These snacks are not just delicious, but also nutrient dense. 

However, if you do not have enough time or resources to make these nutritional veggies at home, you can also choose the healthy snacks offered by Healthy Master. Although not made using olive oil, they are baked with bare minimal oil usage. Therefore, you can enjoy all the goodness of the natural ingredients without many calories. 

Make Homemade Olive Oil Dips

You can also make simple, healthy dips with olive oil to enjoy your snacks. There are many olive oil based dips like hummus, tapenade and pesto to add olive oil to your diet. They are nutrient packed and also very versatile. You can easily pair these dips with healthy snacks like Healthy Master’s baked chips, Indian snacks like khakhras, fresh veggie sticks, or even different types of bread. 

Olive Oil in Baked Goods

You can also incorporate olive oil in baked goods. They are healthy substitutes for oils, ghee, butter or other oils. This will not just enhance the taste but also offer a heart-healthy alternative without compromising the flavour. You can prepare different types of baked snacks like muffins, cookies or even granola bars by swapping saturated fats for olive oil. 

As mentioned above, if you do not have time to prepare these heart healthy snacks at home, you can easily buy some of the best and nutritious snacks from Healthy Master. Apart from normal snacks, you can also find different types of specific diet based snacks provided in the store. For instance, there are diabetic friendly, keto snacks, weight management snacks etc provided in the store. This makes it easy for you to choose the right type of snacks. They are best to meet your health goals and enjoy guilt-free. 

Final Thoughts

If you read the above benefits, you would have by now understood that olive oil is not just a cooking staple, but a powerful addition to your diet and snack routine. The unique combination of healthy fats, anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants in olive oil makes it a very important part of a balanced diet. You can also enjoy a variety of delicious, nutrient packed snacks like roasted veggies, baked goods, dips and dry fruits by using olive oil.

However, it does not matter what your needs are, moderation is the key. As olive oil is still calorie-dense, it is very important to be mindful of the portions.