Replace Butter with Olive Oil

Cooking healthy can be a difficult thing to do, but one little ingredient change can make your meal a heart-healthy one. It's simple: Replace butter with olive oil!

Olive oil has many health benefits. Those benefits are due to its high content of monosaturated fatty acids and a high content of antioxidative substances. Many studies have shown olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling the bad cholesterol levels while raising the good cholesterol levels. Olive oil also has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. While all olive oil is beneficial, extra virgin olive oil has a higher level of antioxidants, especially vitamin E.

Olive oil can be used to fry, sauté, season and even bake.

Here are some tips the National Olive Oil Association has on cooking with olive oil:

•As a general rule, cook with "olive oil" but season or drizzle with "extra virgin olive oil" after the food is prepared.

•Deep fry foods in "light" olive oil and watch them turn golden brown.

•Serve a small dish of extra virgin olive oil at meals. Rather than using butter or margarine, dip bread or rolls in olive oil for a spectacular new taste.

Want some great olive oil recipes? Check out the National Olive Associations Recipe section.