A Word of Caution About Avocados

When the experts call avocados a “superfood”, they aren’t kidding.

There’s a long list of reasons why this fruit is good for you, and it’s delicious too!

Avocados are one of our most versatile foods.

They can be:

• eaten on their own or mixed into salads
• used as toppings for chicken, fish, eggs and more
• used to make sauces and dressings
• used as a substitute for bad fats in baked goods

Avocados are available year round and are a good addition to your daily diet, but you need to be careful.

They can be a great weight loss tool but you want to enjoy them in moderation. Don’t eat too much of this very good thing or you can end up working against your weight loss goals.

But, Aren't Avocados Too High in Fat?

Yes, avocados are high in fat, but the fat that they contain is the “good kind.”

They are high in omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce cholesterol and cut the risk of heart disease. Each cup of avocado contains about 3 grams of protein and very little sugar. It also is high in vitamins K, vitamin B5, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron.

Besides being good for your heart, avocados are healthy in many other ways.

• They reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar.
• They control blood pressure, improve vision and strengthen the immune system.
• Their high fiber keeps your digestive system on track and keep you feeling full longer.
• Plus, the high levels of vitamin C and vitamin E that they contain are excellent for your skin.

How Can I Tell If My Avocado is Ripe?

Have you ever cut into an avocado and found it too hard or overly ripe? So disappointing! You can tell when an avocado is ready to eat when it is a little bit soft, but doesn’t have any sunken spots or cracks.

Some people peel back the stem to see if an avocado has gone bad. If you pull off the stem and see green, it is ripe.

If you can’t pull it off, it isn’t ready.

Pull it off and see brown, then put it back – it is going to have rotten spots.

How Can I Keep them Fresh Longer?

You can keep your avocados on the counter if you’re going to use them soon. If not, then store them in the refrigerator. The cold air will stop the ripening process.

QUICK TIP: After cutting avocado, you can keep it green and beautiful by leaving the pit in, sprinkling it with a little lemon juice, and wrapping it in plastic wrap.

A Word of Avocado Caution

Avocados can be a great help for your diet. Using it as a healthy fat can keep you feeling full longer and stave off hunger.

I'm not one to count calories, but it's important to note that avocados are calorically dense foods. Use it to replace other fats, and keep your intake to about half to three quarters of one per day.

 What's the Healthiest Part to Eat?

The healthiest part of an avocado is the area that’s just under the skin. Make sure that you get to that part of the flesh by peeling the skin off rather than scooping it out.

You can use avocado as a substitute for butter when baking, add it to a smoothie, or use it in place of fats in salad dressings or pasta sauces.

Here is one of my favorite healthy salad recipes that makes the most of avocado’s delicious flavor and creaminess.

Four A’s Salad (Avocado, Apple, Arugula, Asparagus)

INGREDIENTS

1 avocado
1 apple
1 bunch asparagus
4 cups arugula
3 T extra virgin olive oil
3 T fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp honey 

DIRECTIONS

Toss asparagus in 1 T. olive oil and roast in 450 degree oven ‘til browned.

Remove from oven and allow to cool, then chop into two inch pieces.

Whisk together remaining olive oil, orange juice and honey or agave and set aside.

Chop apple into 1/2-inch pieces, peel and dice avocado into ½-inch cubes.

Put arugula in large bowl and add apple, avocado and asparagus pieces, then mix in salad dressing.

Yours in Health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this info. with your loved ones and leave me a comment below. I read them ALL!