Are you worried about olive oil calories? Are they good for your diet? Here is all you need to know about the benefits of olive oil and its calories!
How many calories can be found in olive oil?
One teaspoon of olive oil has 40 calories.
Quick review: calories are the measure of energy used for food. They can be found in carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
As olive oil does not contain carbohydrates or proteins, all of its calories come from its fats. But don’t be mistaken: not all fats we eat are the same. In fact, olive oil has monounsaturated fats, that is, the healthy ones. These healthy fats can help reduce LDL cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.
Olive oil calories aid in maintaining a well-functioning metabolism as they carry different substances. They are hormone modulators as well as essential to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins play a main role in growing and protecting human body tissues (Vitamins A, D, E and K).
Olive oil: measurement chart and calories
| Amount | Calories |
| 1 tsp olive oil | 40 calories |
| 1 Tbsp olive oil | 119 calories |
| 3 Tbsp olive oil | 357 calories |
| 1 cup of olive oil | 1,909 calories |
Does olive oil make you fat?
The answer is no. Olive oil should replace other fats in the diet (like butter and other oils). Olive oil only has healthy fats, so it is the best option for a weight-loss diet. According to Healthline, taking small amounts of oil daily may encourage weight and size reduction. A 4-week study included overweight and obese men. In this study saturated fats were replaced with monounsaturated fats in their diets. The outcome was that they experienced small but significant weight loss.
How much olive oil can we use per day?
Some studies such as the one carried out by the prestigious research group PREDIMED confirm that we should take an average of 4 Tbsp/day. This amount should be distributed in the different meals of the day. However, we need to remember that every person is different and it is not possible to talk about an exact amount, as it would depend on different factors such as age or weight.
Moreover, olive oil has many nutrients and properties with a positive effect in the short- and long-term. Check out this post about olive oil nutritional information to be up to date on the topic, something very important when it comes to taking care of ourselves. Discover all the benefits!
