Butter or Olive oil - The best fat to cook an omelette to get the maximum benefits out of it

If we talk about the simplest ways to include protein in the diet, it is definitely an egg that not only fills the stomach but nourishes it as well. An egg is a rich source of dietary fibre, potassium and vitamin C and ad some nutritious veggies like broccoli, bell peppers and mushrooms, and you will increase the nutrition quotient of this dish. Mostly, whenever we start the preparation of an omelette, the only fat that comes to our mind is butter as it provides the perfect glaze as well saturated fats to the dish. But lately, many people have been adopting olive oil while cooking an omelette and replacing it with butter. It is a simple fix that cuts the saturated fat content and does not hamper the taste or texture of an omelette. This made us wonder, which is the best fat for cooking an omelette. Here’s all you need to know. (Images courtesy: iStock)

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Looking at both the fat nutrition-wise, one tablespoon of butter contains 102 calories and 11.5 grams of fat, of which about 7.3 grams are saturated. While a tablespoon of olive oil contains 119 calories and 13.5 grams of fat. However, only 1.8 grams are saturated, which is far less than the amount in butter. Also, olive oil doesn’t contain sodium, whereas butter can contain up to 91 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon. Olive oil contains more vitamin E and K than butter, but butter contains more vitamin A than olive oil.

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Though butter does have nutritional value, olive oil might be the better choice. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, liquid fats like olive oil are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while butter has more saturated fats. Also, a study published on the Mediterranean diet in the ‘The New England Journal of Medicine', puts focus on the fact that olive oil can reduce the risk of heart diseases as it is used in abundance in it.

It seems that to get the maximum benefits of an omelette, using olive oil is much better as it provides the necessary nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E & K along with other minerals. However, when cooking with olive oil, make sure that you cook it over the low flame as the nutrients present in olive oil can diminish or degrade when cooked over the high flame. Also, whenever you cook an omelette in olive oil, try to add as many veggies to it as possible.