Olives Are Fattening - NOT! (Do Veggie People Get Fat?)

Question:   Can a vegetarian be overweight?
Answer:   Yes!
Q:  How?  
A:  Well,  just because a meal is vegetarian does not make it healthy.  Is it full of pasta or bread, sauces, or lots of cheese?   Is it essentially junk food?   Too many sweets?  Also, one has to consider how much exercise he/she gets.... 


For veggie people, the villain that causes fattening-up is usually too many simple carbs on the plate and not enough real veggies and fruits.  


Of note, we are often told that olives, avocados, nuts and other such foods are too fattening to eat very often.  Not true!


Yes, these foods are high in fat content, but it is PLANT fat, not animal fat.  Animal fat is bad for you and makes you fat, plant fats are good for you.


I say again, animal fat is bad.    
Animal-based foods put fats in your body that clog your arteries and cause heart disease and other problems.  It makes us battle constantly against weight gain and loss of health.


Plant fat is good.
Plant-based fats are proven to lower cholesterol which helps blood pressure, and to lower blood sugar levels. Yep - true!!  And the nutrients and fiber content of these foods makes them a valuable addition to the veggie plate.  Also, these fats add a "satisfaction" factor to a meal that inhibits cravings later.  


So feel good about having a big, thick olive salad sandwich (on whole grain bread, please) for lunch, or avocados prepared your favorite way.   Put nuts in your salad and in your snack pack, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables.  Just be careful about bread and pasta choices and selective about sauce or other condiments.