High-paced lifestyles across the globe have fueled the fast and saturated fat food markets. With many people getting caught in the loop of quick and easy meals with little focus on their impact on health and wellness – many are now turning to healthier alternatives as the pandemic has essentially pulled the proverbial hand brakes on the world and given us all a lesson in slowing down.
This shift has led to people making minor changes to combat the rising cost that poor dietary choices have on health and life. Seemingly simple changes such as replacing saturated fats with Texas olive oil can make the most significant changes. Let’s look at how this locally produced liquid gold from the Texas Hill Country Olive Company can help you improve your overall health!
But First… What is a Saturated Fat, and Why is It Bad?
Before we dive into the world of saturated fats, it is vital to remember that everything is good in moderation. Even saturated fats such as butter can be healthy when appropriately consumed and not overindulged. Many diets promote the concept of low-fat eating – which in itself is often unbalanced and unhealthy. The human body needs fat to thrive from multiple sources the critical factor is balance.
So, what are saturated fats? These fats are commonly found in animal products such as milk, cheese, butter, meats, and some plant sources such as coconut and palm fruit. These fats often get a mixed reception within the health community. The real problems arise when the delicate balance between too little and too much, tips towards either end of the scale.
The Darkside of Saturated Fats
There are several reasons why saturated fats get such a bad reputation in the food world. They have been linked to a number of debilitating health concerns. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol are often linked to the overconsumption of saturated fat products.
Lesser-known impacts on health include mental decline, increased inflammation, and cancers. These are all very worrying conditions that can diminish your quality of life and health. While it is not always possible or realistic to avoid saturated fats forever – minimizing their consumption or making simple swaps such as switching to high-quality Texas olive oil can help you make meaningful changes to your health.
Why Texas Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a long history within the health and food communities. It has long been used as a critical ingredient in fine dining meals, and it’s a heavy influence in the Mediterranean diet. The diet has long been known as one of the most healthy diets globally and is famous for its foundation in moderation.
The popularity of Texas olive oil is founded on its health benefits. It is naturally rich in antioxidants, oleic acid, and omega fatty acids. It is also well known as a heat-resistant fat that doesn’t break down into harmful particles during high-heat cooking applications.
The Benefits Of Texas Olive Oil
There are numerous benefits to using EVOO in your diet to replace added saturated fats. These include:
- Reduces inflammation
- Cholesterol reduction
- Cancer-fighting
- Reduced neurodegeneration
With these benefits, it is clear that this wonder liquid is one of the most potent ingredients that you can add to your daily diet. But… how do you add it to your diet without changing it altogether? Let’s take a look.
How To Make Small Changes To Your Diet
Replacing saturated fats entirely is not the goal of eating healthier and improving your health. Instead, the goal is to ensure that you are making healthy swaps to your diet that will leverage the beneficial aspects of EVOO.
Here are three easy changes to replace saturated fats in your diet:
- Ditch the margarine – One of the most prolific sources of saturated fat is margarine. Simply switching to an EVOO-based spread is a tasty alternative to margarine.
- Swapping the butter out – Butter is perhaps one of the most flavorful saturated fats that are hard to replace or get rid of due to its unique flavor. However, when consumed in excess, it can have some harmful impacts on the body. Try swapping butter for a delicate variety of Texas olive oil to sautee meats, vegetables, and baked goods. Brushing your pastry with a mild EVOO is also easy to replace its flavor in baking.
- Skipping the mayo – If you are a regular at the salad bar, creamy mayonnaise dressings can be replaced with equally tasty and creamy EVOO-based alternatives—experiment using different varieties of EVOO for a range of flavors and textures.
With three simple changes, you can truly make a significant difference to your health.
Sourcing Quality Texas Olive Oil
Finding the perfect bottle of EVOO is just as important as making the swap. There are a few things to look out for before reaching for a bottle of EVOO from your local grocery store shelf:
- Stick to local produce – Locally produced goods are more often than not likely to comply with national production standards. They are easily accessible and readily available throughout the year. Texas olive oil is the perfect replacement as you can rest assured your supply won’t be interrupted due to import problems. Look for producers such as The Texas Country Olive Co. for the finest premium extra-virgin olive oil bottles.
- Glass over plastic – Any bottle of EVOO should be packaged in a dark glass or tin container; this will ensure that your olive oil is stored in the right environment and less likely to diminish in quality.
- Stay in date – Check the production and best before dates on each bottle before buying and note it once you have made your purchase – your EVOO should last about a year if stored properly.
- Keep it cool – Storage is necessary; when purchasing an EVOO, ensure that the oil is not sitting on a shelf in bright light or a warm environment. EVOO should be kept in a cool and dark place to retain its nutrients and flavor.