Taste Life Blog

Five Reasons Why You Need to Eat Avocadoes Every Day

Hass Avocadoes are on my weekly grocery list. I eat them every day either for a meal or snack.

I hope after you read these powerful nutrition facts you will also eat avocado every day.

1.     Monounsaturated Fat Fruit Power

Avocadoes are considered a fruit, but are the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat and 20 vitamins and phytonutrients.

Avocados are considered a fruit, but are unique because they are virtually the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat. They also contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, 4% vitamin C, 6% folate, 8% fiber, 2% iron, 4% potassium, with 81 micrograms of lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene.

2.     Calorie Bargain

Avocados differ by size; the Hass variety in particular has three sizes – small, medium and large. Because of the variance in size, it is difficult to simply say “avocados have X calories” and have it apply to all sizes of avocado.  One serving of avocado equates to 1 ounce. And if you are starting with a medium sized avocado, you have a total of 5 servings or 5 ounces. Therefore half of a medium sized avocado would have approximately 2.5 ounces. 2.5 ounces of avocado would equate to (50 calories x 2.5 oz. =) 125 calories. With 20 nutrients, avocadoes are a calorie bargain.

3.     May Fight Your Belly Fat

Mayo Clinic suggests changing from unhealthy to healthy eating habits as a way to help fight belly fat, including replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats and increasing fruit and vegetable intake while reducing the consumption of refined carbohydrates. Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit and a source of good fats—both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories. I eat an avocado before bed and it stabilizes my blood sugar and I sleep better and feel full.

4.     Nutrient Booster

Avocados act as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
Alpha- and beta-carotene can form Vitamin A in the body, which is essential for proper growth and reproduction as well as good eyesight.

5. The go to food for eye health

An ounce of avocado contains 81 micrograms of lutein which is a natural antioxidant that we need to maintain eye health as we age. Lutein has been shown to be concentrated in the Macula of the eye, and research

These facts are from www.avocadocentral.com .

Disclosure:  I am not a paid spokesperson for Hass Avocadoes.

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Danielle’s Guacamole

Danielle’s makes the best guacamole I know. For my birthday Danielle whipped up this pre birthday meal treat. I almost didn’t need to eat the rest of the meal.

• 3 Haas avocadoes, halved, seeded, peeled and chunked
• 1 tomatoes, diced
• ½ red onion, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• Salt to taste
• Lime juice to taste

This makes about two cups.

In a large bowl place avocadoes, tomatoes, and onions. Add salt and lime juice to taste.  Serve with warm conversation and rice crackers if you are gluten intolerant. You can also place a dollop of guacamole on  a slice  of organic turkey deli meat and roll up for  quick healthy lunch. Too busy to make the guac, put a few strips of avocado with a splash of lime juice in a piece of your favorite deli meat and follow up.