Serves: 5

True or false? A healthy diet means one that is similar to that of the Mediterranean region, using plenty of olive oil.

ANSWER: False. While it is true that olive oil may be helpful in reducing the level of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and maintaining the "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL) in our blood, it still is not something that you should plan in eating in large quantities. Thought to be a culprit in heart disease, LDL contains most of the cholesterol found in the blood and is associated with making cholesterol available for cell structures, hormones and nerve coverings. LDL also deposits cholesterol on artery walls. HDLs on the other hand, help to remove cholesterol from body tissues and blood and return it to the liver to be used again. This recycling process has earned HDL the "good" cholesterol label.

Regardless of what experts tell us about the golden oil pressed from olives, it's still 100 percent fat, so it supplies the same amount of fat and calories as butter, margarine or other oils. Just the makeup of the fatty acids is different.




From "Betty Crocker's Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cooking Today." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

More Recipes from the Betty Crocker's Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cooking Today Cookbook:
-GARLIC AND ONIONS FOR GOOD HEALTH
-IS OLIVE OIL BETTER FOR YOU?
-LOW-FAT COOKING 101: DRAINING GROUND BEEF
-THE LEANEST CUTS OF BEEF
Beef With Spiced Pepper Sauce
Broiled Dijon Burgers
Cajun-Mustard Pork Chops
Campfire Mesquite Beef & Beans
Chilled Beef Wrap
Countryside Pasta Toss
Farmhouse Ham Chowder
Glazed Beef Tenderloin With Herbed New Potatoes
Hearty Beef & Vegetables
Honey Ham & Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Lamb With Creamy Mint Sauce
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Loaded Potatoes
Mustard Lamb Chops
Panfried Ham With Sweet Balsamic-Peach Sauce
Pork Medallians With Hot Pineapple Glaze
Pork With Caramelized Onions
Raspberry-Ginger Pork Skewers
Rich Honey-Mustard Pork Medallions
Steakhouse Sirloin Au Jus
Swiss Steak
Taco-Corn Chili
Three-Pepper Beef Tenderloin