The Health Benefits of Avocados

Avocados are an interesting item - bumpy and an unattractive green on the outside, but creamy and delicate on the inside. Many pass avocados by while walking the aisles of the supermarket, avoiding them because of their oddness and bad rap on the health bracket. An average sized avocado can contain up to 30 grams of fat. The truth is, avocados are easy to cook with, very versatile, and extremely healthy!

Avocados are actually a fruit and a relative of the berry family. They have a bumpy outer skin that is not edible, protecting a soft fruit on the inside. Avocados have an inner seed that is removed before eating. Spring and summer are the best times to find ripe avocados, but they are available most of the year. It is actually a misunderstanding that leads us to believe the avocado is not good for us - they are high in fatty acids - but the good kind!

One of the main elements found in an avocado is oleic acid, an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, which may help in lowering cholesterol rates. Oleic acid is considered one of the healthy fats! Avocados are also high in potassium, a mineral that assists with regulating blood pressure. They are also a great source of folate, another heart healthy nutrient. The combination of oleic acid, potassium, and folate makes the avocados an extremely heart healthy fruit!

Along with being heart healthy, avocados help promote overall good health with high levels of vitamin E, lutein, and beta-carotene. They are also high in vitamin K, which is good for blood clotting, and high in fiber. Fiber is essential to helping maintain healthy weight and it helps to make you feel full. Mixing an avocado into your salad or salsa adds to your body's ability to absorb all the healthy components of an avocado and aids in getting the most out of the foods you eat with it!

Instead of focusing on the fat in an avocado, enjoy the creamy richness knowing you are eating a heart healthy fruit! The most important thing to remember is to eat everything in moderation, including avocados. They have wonderful health benefits and are delicious, but do contain a large amount of fat and the calories can add up. A good serving of avocado is 2 Tablespoons, which has lower fat and calories than 2 Tablespoons of mayonnaise or butter. Try slicing some fresh avocado on your sandwich instead of using mayo, top your scrambled eggs a couple cubes, or try some on brown rice with salsa. Don't be afraid of the avocados the next time you are at the supermarket. Pick one up and give it a try!

Sources:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/avacado.htm
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5