For the past 21 years—yep,American Idoldebuted way back in 2002—Ryan Seacrest has grown to become one of our country’s preeminent hosts with the most. Even though he “retired” in April from his co-hosting role with Kelly Ripa (on the show that’s now calledLive with Kelly and Mark), Seacrest still has plenty on his plate. The 48-year-old celebrity juggles hosting KIIS-FM’sOn Air With Ryan Seacrest, the weekly American Top 40 radio countdown,American IdolandDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve.
“I don’t have to get out the door quite as fast,” Seacrest tells our sister brandPeoplein a recent interview. “So that’s been a little bit of a change of pace.”
After sliding on his UGG slippers but before sipping on his first cup of java and fueling throughout the day with aMediterranean diet-inspired menuof “vegetables, fish and salad,” Seacrest reveals one of his daily habits: “I have a shot of olive oil in the morning before my coffee every day. I find that that actually helps with weight loss and helps with your inflammation; helps with all the different systems in your body.”
Regular vs. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: What’s the Difference?
Seacrest isn’t alone in this fat shot strategy; TikTok users like @oliveoilqueenand @eliyahmashiachsing the praises of olive oil shots, claiming that they tame everything from bloating to chronic inflammation, and reporting that it delivers benefits like clearer skin, stronger bones and more regular menstrual cycles.
If you look at a global scale, this is actually nothing new. Residents of certain Mediterranean communities have beenreportedlytaking A.M. olive oil shots since at least the 1960s. But is it healthy?
Mindy Small/Getty Images
Are Morning Olive Oil Shots Healthy?
Thehealth benefits of olive oilare pretty undeniable. Consuming olive oil has been linked to betterheart health, lower risk forcertain cancers,stronger workouts…and yes, lower levels of inflammation. A study published February 2020 in the journalCellsreports that olive oil offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help slow signs of aging.
Understanding Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation: What’s Healthy and What’s Harmful?
As far as Seacrest’s weight loss claims go, theFDArecommends 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil per day, and some studies have reported some health benefits for slightly more olive oil than that. That said, a shot has 3 tablespoons, and each of those tablespoons has 119 calories, according to theUSDA. Translation: A shot of olive oil has 357 calories, and that’s added to your daily calorie tally before you’ve consumed a bite of food. If you add more olive oil to your menu throughout the day (which is a strategy EatingWell dietitians recommend in many of ourhealthy meal plans), you’ll definitely be getting a strong dose of daily fats without the need for a standalone shot. This isn’t necessarily a misstep, just something worth keeping in mind as you consider your wellness goals.
Also worth noting: Since those bites require chewing and often come withfiber, which slows digestion, eating calories from food is often more satisfying than drinking calories. So drinking calories from smoothies,protein shakesand olive oil (if you like) is actually a wise strategy if you’re trying to gain weight.
The Bottom Line
If you enjoy taking shots of olive oil in the morning and find that you feel better starting your day the Seacrest way than you did pre-fat shot, just keep its concentrated calorie content in mind as part of your daily menu. Nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all, and if this works for you, cheers! That said, you’ll score additional health benefits and lower your overall calorie intake for the day—which may or may not be a goal for you—if you consume olive oil as part of meals.
Speaking of which, if you’re seeking new ways to sprinkle doses of olive oil onto your menu, we highly recommendGarlic Hummus,One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli,Olive Oil Chocolate Chunk BlondiesandMaple-Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
