Will Drinking Olive Oil Make Me Lose Weight?

Olive oil is a healthy fat that can help you lose weight if you substitute it for butter or lard as part of a varied and nutritious diet. But even though at least one diet has proposed using it as an appetite suppressant, olive oil is no magic pill for weight loss. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet, especially if you have health conditions or allergies.

Nutrition Facts

Olive oil is high in calories and healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Unlike saturated fat, these healthy fats raise your levels of high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, and lower your low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol. A tablespoon of olive oil has about 120 calories and 14 g of fat. Although olive oil is a healthy alternative to butter, lard and salad dressing, there is there is no scientific evidence that proves drinking olive oil will act as an appetite suppressant or cause weight loss.

The Shangri-La Diet

The Shangri-La Diet was created by Dr. Seth Roberts. In his book, "The Shangri-La Diet: The No Hunger Eat Anything Weight-Loss Plan," Dr. Roberts recommends drinking 1 tbsp. of olive oil to suppress appetite. Although dieters are not restricted to specific foods while following the Shangri-La Diet, Dr. Roberts recommends eating bland, mashed foods that lack texture to make eating less enjoyable. He claims that this will make you less likely to overeat.

Drawbacks

Because olive oil is high in calories and healthy fats, you may feel full for a short time. But a 100-calorie snack, like fresh fruits and veggies, a piece of low-fat string cheese or a handful of whole-grain crackers may keep you feeling full longer. Whichever option you choose, your weight loss will depend on the number of calories you consume. If you're still consuming more calories than you burn, adding olive oil to your diet may cause weight gain, not weight loss.

Olive Oil as a Healthy Substitute

Olive oil is a healthy, doctor-recommended substitute for foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat. Drizzle olive oil on your salad instead of dressing, sprinkle it on your meat and fish instead of frying it, and dip your bread in olive oil instead of slathering it with butter. These substitutions will reduce the calories, saturated fat and trans fat you consume, which may help you lose weight. Eating a varied diet of nutritious foods in moderation and exercising every day will also help you lose weight and keep it off in the long run.