Adding Olives to your diet

[Craztel]

Hey gang,

We have already discussed the nutritional benefits, of using Olive Oil when cooking, but what about whole olives? I eat them quite often in my diet, since I know there are numerous benefits to doing so. As a matter of fact, I had them on my salad just yesterday. I do not eat them every single day, but I do try to add them where I can........

Any other "Olive Nuts" out there....... :P

[destiny]

since I know there are numerous benefits to doing so.
[/b]

I haven't actually heard of any benefits.... in fact, I've only heard
that the sodium levels in olives (not the oil) is alarmingly high.
What are some of the benefits you mentioned?

[Craztel]

What are some of the benefits you mentioned?
[/b]

For one thing, they are a great "Natural" source of Vitamin E, and they contain Monounsaturated Fats. They are also a good source of fiber, which all old men like myself need.....

I haven't heard, nor have I read, anything about the "Salt" in olives...... :huh:

[destiny]

I haven't heard, nor have I read, anything about the "Salt" in olives...... :huh:
[/b]

They are very high in sodium so if you have hypertension issues, you
may want to research that. Things like dill pickles and canned soup have
more, but olives often hit those top lists.

[Ricardo]

I love having fresh avocado and kalamata olives. They go very well together and I think I heard there was a health benefit from the combination, but I don't remember what it was.

I buy kalamata olives with the pits in.

[kazscom]

I love having fresh avocado and kalamata olives. They go very well together and I think I heard there was a health benefit from the combination, but I don't remember what it was.

I buy kalamata olives with the pits in.
[/b]

I have only tried the green olives(I don't know what they are called).I really cannot stand the taste of them.

[Brolic]

My Greek background can't reject these olives lol I've consumed too many. Killer combination though for anyone interested, have your Olives + Feta cheese + A heated Pita from your stove ( Just place on-top and over the flame for a nice crisp burn ) = Good Stuff

[dinoiii]

As for the sodium issue discussed above, olives would only find issue if they were canned from the starts...your best bet could be to get them from your local produce department to avoid such an issue (back in high school + some undergrad, I worked in a produce dept. for a total 7 years).

ONLY when an olive becomes processed is it an issue as is the case with all processed foods (deli meats, canned/jarred veggies, et al) - much for preservative nature of sodium in a compound (not necessarily "salt" - that's sodium chloride).

Sodium is also found in many other ingredients used in food processing. Examples of sodium-containing ingredients and their uses in foods are:

(1) Baking powder--leavening agent
(2) Baking soda--leavening agent
(3) Monosodium glutamate--flavor enhancer
(4) Sodium benzoate--preservative
(5) Sodium caseinate--thickener and binder
(6) Sodium citrate--butter, used to control acidity in soft drinks and fruit drinks
(7) Sodium nitrite--curing agent in meat, provides color, prevents botulism (a food poisoning)
(8) Sodium phosphate--emulsifier, stabilizer, buffer
(9) Sodium propionate--mold inhibitor
(10)Sodium saccharin--artificial sweetener

any that I am missing you guys can think of - feel free to add them to the list....

D_