Avocados are one of my favorite foods – so versatile and nutrient dense. Recently, a client had mentioned she had never tasted one so she came over and tasted avocados and avocado dishes. Her question sparked my researching of the benefits of these delicious “alligator pears.” Did you know that avocados are fruits, not veggies? They are soft, delicious by themselves with a little salt, but the flavor is mild enough so when they’re immersed into other dishes, you hardly taste them. Their creamy texture helps improve textures of other dishes like smoothies, puddings, sauces, and more. Plus, you can use them as a substitute for an oil because they have healthy fats. According to californiaavocado.com one-third of a medium avocado has 80 calories and about 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Here are a few other things you might like to know:
- Avocados are nutrient dense – have more potassium than bananas with 14% as compared to 10% in bananas, have Vitamins C, E, K, B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and more; only have about 2 net carbs and no sodium.
- Avocados have monounsaturated fatty acids, the healthy type of fat, so it doesn’t raise LDL (“bad” cholesterol). Because they contain oleic acid (also in olive oil), some people feel they help reduce inflammation and promote a cancer-free healthy lifestyle.
- Avocados are rich in fiber which can help with weight loss, stabilization of blood sugar, and digestive regularity. One avocado has about 7 grams of fiber.
- Avocados have antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin which are helpful for eye health.
- Avocados keep you full or satiated longer which can help if you’re trying to lose weight.
- Avocados are versatile in many different dishes ranging from savory to sweet such as salads, sauces, dips, chocolate puddings, flourless brownies, shakes, smoothies, and of course, homemade guacamole. (Don’t buy the stuff from the grocery which usually has more sour cream than avocados!)
I hope I have convinced you to consider adding avocados to your healthy diet! If I was going to a deserted island, I would definitely choose avocados to take with me. I have taken them when I travel for a quick, easy, and filling breakfast, lunch, or snack!
