If you are American, you are probably very familiar with a food pyramid that looks something like this. Notice that all of the fats and oils are relegated to the top tier (though, arguably, the United States is the worst follower of this rule worldwide, but I digress). This is what I learned in elementary school, and it's all I've ever known. (I still haven't adopted the new American "everybody has different needs" pyramid.)
Well, imagine my surprise when, in science class today, we were talking about the NECESSITY of consuming olive oil every day. I took a glance at the food pyramid in their book, and sure enough, I saw something that looked like this. Pay careful attention to the second tier from the bottom.
Olive oil carries the same importance as fruits and veggies! It even gets its own box! My worldview has been shaken. I almost wanted to laugh out loud when, in class, the teacher warned, "In some countries, they don't cook with olive oil. They cook with BUTTER!!" (omg, imagine the horror!!)
Obviously I've known forever that olive oil is like water here-- that it flows through the blood of the Spanish. But I never expected to see it in such a real way, in a science book. As if having an entire grocery aisle dedicated to the stuff wasn't enough, they had to go and give it it's own box on the food pyramid.
That's love, people.
1 comment:
This has to be the BEST thing ever! I remember hearing "aceite de oliva es muy sano" sooo many times in Sevilla.
I also remember one time last year when I commented that we don't always use oil and vinegar on our salads in America and my roommate said, "Oh yes, that's right, you use butter."
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