Melt Fat With a Tuna Melt & Olive Oil Twist

MELT FAT WITH A TUNA MELT

& Savor

Olive Oil, Bread & Cheese

By Cal Orey

"Good oil, like good wine, is a gift from the gods."

-- George Ellwanger

Eat fat to lose fat... It's funny, but as the former Diet and Nutrition columnist for Woman's World magazine, I wrote about paring pounds and crazy fad diets (The Cabbage Soup Diet to the Smoothie Diet) but as I met my deadlines I chowed down on Mediterranean diet type of foods--fatty fish, olive oil, bread, and even cheese--and I maintained my 122 pounds/size 4 (I'm 5'5") through it all.

These days, I'm hearing about dumb diets, such as counting calories like it's a fine art to taking dangerous supplements--anything and everything to drop unwanted pounds.

Last night, from 1:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M. I watched with total amazement a new dance show and was frustrated big-time to see the overweight competitors struggling to lose body fat. The winner would be the biggest loser and the best dancer. But I didn't get it. At all. Losing weight and staying lean forever doesn't seem like rocket science to me.

And yeah, eating good fish and good olive oil can help fill you up and not out. Anecdotal evidence shows that olive oil can suppress the appetite. The older you get, the more you want to stay physically active, to burn off calories instead of storing body fat. Teaming olive oil with fat-burning foods such as vegetables, fruits (like olives), heart healthy whole grains, and fish may also help you keep satisfied, as well as maintain a lean body throughout your life span.

So, tuna--the good stuff--is on my menu today. Try out this spin-off of a popular Italian Tuna Melt.

Tuna Melt with an Olive Oil Twist

3 ounces premium tuna, solid white albacore
in water, drained
1 wholegrain bagel or a French sourdough bread roll
1/8 cup black olives
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 slices or 1/4 ounce gourmet cheese (your choice)
1 tablespoon red onion, chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh cooked corn (optional)
1 medium garlic clove, peeled

Slice bagel in half. Rub garlic on bagel. Brush with EVOO. Mix tuna chunks with olives, corn, and onion and place on each bread slice. Top tuna with grated cheese. Grill in oven till hot, toasted, and cheese is melted. Garnish with a few sliced fresh tomatoes off the vine. Sprinkle ground pepper if desired.
And note, if you're craving fries with that Tuna Melt, no worries. Just check out The Writing Gourmet archives for healthy baked tators.