From flashy packaging to limited-time buys, marketing ploys have a huge effect on our purchasing habits. While these tactics occasionally work out in our favor and entice us to buy products we end up loving, good marketing can also lead to nothing more than a bottle of empty promises. For all those who keep a bottle of “light” olive oil in their cabinets, this is actually a perfect example.
While some chefs might grab a bottle of this “light” staple off the shelf believing it’s a healthier alternative to other oils, that is not the case. “Light olive oil” is a misnomer, as “light” does not refer to the ingredient’s nutritional value but the color and flavor of the oil. Light bottles of olive oil are treated and refined to strip the oil of natural flavor, colors, and even health benefits. This could make it a great neutral oil to use in baking projects, much like corn or vegetable oil, but not much more.
For all those who swear by using light olive oil in their recipes, you’re not doing yourself or your dishes any favors. Oil is fat, and there’s no way around cutting this building block out of the kitchen entirely. If health optimization is your goal, go for extra-virgin olive oil instead.
Opt for extra-virgin olive oil instead
It’s always a good idea to abide by a healthy diet, and fatty ingredients like olive oil actually do good things for our health, from regulating blood pressure to stabilizing our gut biome. So, instead of searching for another possible alternative for 100% olive oil beyond light, we suggest checking out our ultimate guide to buying olive oil and sticking to nutritionally beneficial options like 100% extra-virgin olive oil.
This pure oil is full of naturally occurring and positive fatty acids. It has the most benefits of all olive oils thanks to all those acids, which help lower the levels of bad cholesterol in our bodies. Fat levels aside, olive oil is also a well-known anti-inflammatory and is full of antioxidants, so it has more benefits than one. Whether you use a few tablespoons to grease up a pan or infuse salad dressing with shine, extra-virgin olive oil can do it all while benefiting you health, too. If you’re overwhelmed by all of the options on the shelves, start by trying out one of Andrew Zimmern’s favorite olive oils for cooking and dipping.