While the Eat to Live diet is somewhat restrictive, you can have olive oil with your meal. Most dietary restrictions involve animal-based products and refined foods, which doesn't necessarily apply to olive oil. That being said, you still need to limit the amount you eat each day.
Olive Oil
When including olive oil in your meal, you shouldn't consume more than 1 tsp. a day. One example given is the balsamic vinaigrette used to top a salad. You're only using 1 tsp. for preparation. After this, you shouldn't have any more olive oil for the rest of day. Remember that preparing food in olive oil also counts as intake, so if you're stir-frying some veggies, this counts toward your limitation.
Exclusions
Besides limiting your intake of olive oil -- and any other oil, for that matter --, you also restrict your intake of animal-based foods, such as meat and dairy. Most of your proteins should come from vegetables and legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils, black beans, kidney beans, quinoa, tofu, tempeh and seitan. At the same time, avoid all refined grains, including most breads, pastas and other baked goods, as well as refined sugars.
Inclusions
Most of the diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. The diet plan allows you to eat as many raw vegetables as you like, with a goal of at least 1 lb. each day. You can also eat steamed or cooked vegetables, but limiting your intake of those considered starchy, such as potatoes and corn. You should have at least four servings of fruits and at least 1 cup of legumes a day. Limit your intake of nuts to no more than 1 oz. and avocado to no more than 2 oz. a day.
Effects
Dr. Joel Fuhrman, the creator of this diet, explains that this is more than just a weight-loss plan. Although most people will experience a significant amount of weight loss while on this plan, it's fashioned to treat and prevent many chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes, to name only a few. As with any diet plan, talk to your doctor before adopting this particular eating style.
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