Olive oil has long been touted as the gold standard in healthy oils, and it’s easy to see why. Extracted from the fruits of the olive tree, this versatile oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, making it a staple of the Mediterranean diet and an often-recommended option for heart health. However, like olives themselves, olive oil is high in fats—good fats, but fats nonetheless. And as we know, fat is calorie-dense, which can quickly rack up the syn values if you’re not careful.
- Random House UK
- Hardcover Book
- Slimming World (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 06/01/2000 (Publication Date) - Ebury Press (Publisher)
Olive oil is incredibly versatile and can be used in a myriad of ways, from cooking and frying to dressing salads and even as a dip for bread. Its uses are as diverse as the dishes it enhances. When it comes to measuring olive oil, there are several methods you could employ: you could use a spoon, a measuring cup, or even go by eye if you’re an experienced cook. However, due to its high syn value, precise measurement is recommended to ensure you don’t go over your daily allowance.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the syn values of olive oil and discuss whether it’s worth incorporating into your cooking despite its high syn count.
Olive Oil Syn Values
A single tablespoon (15ml) of olive oil contains approximately 120 calories and is nearly 100% fat, translating to 6 Syns.
Is Olive Oil worth the syns?
Is olive oil worth the Syns? In terms of the Slimming World system, olive oil can quickly consume your daily Syn allowance, potentially disrupting your meal plans if you’re sticking strictly to the guidelines. However, it’s crucial to note that olive oil is a source of healthy fats and offers a range of health benefits, from heart health to anti-inflammatory properties. In this context, the Syn system might seem limiting, as it doesn’t distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fats. Olive oil’s Syn density is similar to that of nuts and avocados, which are also nutrient-dense but calorie-rich foods. While it’s essential to use olive oil in moderation due to its high Syn value, completely avoiding it could mean missing out on valuable nutrients. So if you’re contemplating whether to use olive oil, it may be worth incorporating it sensibly into your diet rather than strictly adhering to Syn counts.
Is there a type of olive oil which is lower in syns than the others?
All types of olive oil, including extra virgin, virgin, and pure olive oil, are fairly similar in caloric density because they are all derived from olives and are composed mainly of fats. One tablespoon of any type of olive oil will contain roughly 120 calories and be almost 100% fat. While extra virgin olive oil has more antioxidants and vitamins, the calorie and fat content doesn’t differ significantly from other types of olive oil.
So, unfortunately, there isn’t a lower-calorie olive oil option that we could recommend as a way to save on Syns. If you’re looking to reduce the Syn value in your cooking, you might consider using olive oil sprays that provide a thin layer of oil for cooking but still offer some of the olive oil flavor and benefits. However, it’s important to note that these sprays are also not Syn-free and should be accounted for in your daily Syn allowance.
