Avocados
www.karenrothnutrition.com Most people steer clear of avocados because of their high fat value. But two-thirds of that fat is monounsaturated and good for the heart. If anyone has followed a Mediterranean diet, you know they emphasize the monounsaturated fats like avocado and olive oil. Avocados have many health benefits including •Lower LDL cholesterol that the Least desirable •Increase the health promoting HDL cholesterol. •High in potassium which supports blood pressure regulation. •Avocados are a good source of fiber, folic acid and Vitamin B6 all essential nutrients for a healthy heart. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that by adding avocados to salads increased absorption of the health promoting phytonutrients from the vegetables. Most avocados you find in the store are hard and will take a few days to ripen at home. You know its ready when the green skin turns dark green or black and slightly gives to pressure. You never want to eat an over ripened avocado, ones that have separated from the pit or have brown spots or streaks. These brown markings are a sign of free radical formation which is what we want to avoid as much as possible. •Add them to salads •mash up and use in place of mayonnaise •Great in wraps •Great topping for black bean soup •Add to salsa. •Try ½ an avocado with cottage cheese for breakfast
November 27th, 2009 - 23:49
Thanks for this great info!
My father in law has an Avocado tree and we enjoy eating them in so many different dishes.
November 29th, 2009 - 20:54
Wow I am so jealous that you have access to free avocados! I think it’s a shame what we have to pay for avocados in CA, when we grow them right here. I see most in the stores are shipped in from Chile.
December 2nd, 2009 - 01:44
I stock up at my farmer’s market every Sunday with an abundance of avocados. I eat one big ripe one daily and love them. They are my favorite food ever and I can’t live without them!!! They are delicious on their own and so healthy for us. I love the tidbit of the research done in 2005, thanks for including that. I was unaware of that study! Yummy avocados, always eat them when ripe but not overripe like you said – and after cutting. Avocados go good with everything. Avocado smoothies! power!
December 2nd, 2009 - 01:46
Ps. I live in CA and get them local, organic and can get up to 35-40 at a time for about 30 bucks at my local farmer’s market.
December 2nd, 2009 - 03:44
In my house, we love avocados and cottage cheese for breakfast.
The research in 2005 also lists Avocado Oil as having the same enhanced absorption quality. Go Avocado!
December 3rd, 2009 - 02:34
thats great you stock up who pays for them your mommy?
April 2nd, 2010 - 07:06
i ate a chicken breast 2 cups of peas and a fresh avocado with a bit of salt. It was amazing. It’s too bad that avacados are expensive
April 2nd, 2010 - 14:57
@ag8416 do you have a farmer’s market near you? They usually have the best prices on avocados.