Wow. This week, I debunked so many olive oil myths, I should go work for the industry! I think if I put 10 of my nutritional therapy clients together in a room and asked them about how to best store olive oil, it would turn into a brawl. Here are my best tips for olive oil storage and use. Now stop arguing!

Olive oil is one of the preferred cooking oils in the Mediterranean. Its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant substances protect the heart. To keep its nutrients in the best shape and its flavor rich, follow these tips:

  • Keep olive oil away from both sunlight and indoor light. Pantry is best. It does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. Buy extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in a dark glass bottle to further prevent light from irradiating it
  • Keep olive oil away from the stove. The heat makes it rancid
  • Use olive oil raw or used at medium heat in stir-fries, sautéing, simmering. Do not heat olive oil above its smoking point (350 degrees F)

Does that settle it?

If you’re interested in the Mediterranean diet, make sure to read the 2 other posts in this series: A Forgotten Superfood at the Heart of the Mediterranean Diet and 3 Myths about the Mediterranean Diet.

For a nutrition or a diet plan tailored to your physiology, medical issues, life stage, feel free to call me, Francesca, at 619-208-8159. I offer a free 15-minute where I recommend resources based on your particular opportunities and limitations. An athlete myself (tennis, hiking, weight-lifting) as well as a holistic nutritional therapy practitioner, I am constantly refining my own sports nutrition. Contact me to find out how you can optimize your health and performance with ideal nutrition! Get helpful tips and notification of great healthy events when you like us on our Healthful Living Facebook page as well!

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