Wednesday's Helping: Olive Oil

A slick option among slippery characters

Mediterranean and Spanish recipes usually call for olive oil. It comes in several grades: Extra virgin, virgin, and regular olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil undergoes the least amount of processing; therefore, it’s considered the best in quality and flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is technically a fruit-juice. Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats. These are considered healthy fats if compared to saturated fats that come from foods made from or with animal products: cheese, lard, and cream, … etc. Cooking with olive oil helps increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. Olive oil is good for the heart, according to the Mayo Clinic.