Say Yes to Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

When you see the nutritional information on a bottle of olive oil, you might be shocked that I recommend it for cooking. Yes, it's high in fat, but the fat is a good kind that you need in order to think, grow, and absorb essential vitamins and antioxidants. The fat in extra-virgin olive oil helps your heart and feeds your brain. It raises your HDL, or "good," cholesterol, lowering your risk of heart disease. That doesn't give you a license to use as much as you want. Pour with a light hand when using it to sauté foods or when adding it to recipes.