The Natural Goodness of Avocados

Oh boy. Today’s a good day.

Today I’m talking about one of my favorite fruits.  A fruit that could make anything taste great, at least in my humble opinion.

It’s creamy, it’s buttery, it’s the glorious avocado. Namely the Hass avocado, aka the year-round avocado.

“The Hass Avocados in your grocer’s produce section are worldwide. That assures you of a ready supply of fresh fruit 365 days a year. Hass Avocados are oval-shaped, with a small to medium-sized seed, they range in weight from 5 to 12 ounces, with a creamy texture and great taste. They also have a distinctive skin that turns from green to purplish-black when ripe.” Love One Today

avocado

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, you will know that I have a love for avocados. They make their way into many of my meals and snacks: on top of salads, mixed with salsa, blended into a salad dressing, on top of burgers, and even just eaten by themselves in their natural wholesome state with a little bit of salt and pepper.

salad with strawberries

Recipe: Taco Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

taco salad with avocado dressing

Recipe: Fish Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa!

fish tacos

Bacon, Lettuce, Egg, Avocado, and Tomato Salad (BLEAT)

bleat salad

Four-Bean Quinoa Chili topped with Cool Avocado and Cilantro!

chili

Recipe: Cowboy Caviar stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

cowboy caviar

No matter how you eat them, they are always delicious.

Oftentimes consumers are apprehensive to eat too many avocados because they know they are full of fat. However, no need to be afraid my friends, because over 75% of the fat in avocados is unsaturated, the good kind of fat! They contain 3 g of monounsaturated fat and 0.5 g polyunsaturated fat per 1-oz serving (4.5 g total fat). Again, the good kind of fats our bodies need to flourish. They are also cholesterol and sodium-free with less than 1 gram of sugar per 1 oz. serving. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind serving sizes; always.  source: Love One Today

According to the American Heart Association, when eaten in moderation and used to replace saturated fats or trans fats, monounsaturated fats can have a beneficial effect on health by helping to reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood.

One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz.) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making it a nutrient-dense choice. And speaking of nutrients, avocados act as a “nutrient booster” by helping the body to better absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein, from foods that are eaten with the fruit.

The health benefits are outstanding. Such an easy way to help improve your health with an absolutely tasty fruit!

Avocados can be used as a substitute for popular higher saturated fat foods. Try using it as a condiment on a sandwich, or mix it in with some hard-boiled eggs and celery for a fun and nutrient-packed egg salad. Of course there is always the infamous guacamole; you really can’t go wrong there. It can also be mixed into smoothies as a smooth and creamy addition.

I love the natural goodness of an avocado. Mmm….I am talking myself in going to fridge right now for a little snack!

As you can see, avocados are a nutrient-dense, versatile fruit that can be eaten alone or used in a variety of tasty recipes – from soups to salads to sandwich spreads – all of which can fit into a sensible eating plan.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t think twice about adding Hass avocados to your cart. Your body (and your belly) will thank you!

Source: Love One Today

Disclaimer: Although I did receive financial compensation for writing this post, all views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely and entirely my own and based on my own unique experiences. For nutrition information on avocados, please be sure to visit the LoveOneToday.com website.

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