One of the most common phrases uttered by health professionals in recent years is, "Yes, it's okay to eat fat." That's music to everyone's ears, right?
Some fats are healthier than others, so it's important to choose the right ones. Avocado, the powerhouse fruit from the persea americana (evergreen tree) native to Central and South America, is one of the healthy fats. The perfect addition to your sandwich, salad or as a garnish on your soup, the avocado has a myriad of health benefits:
- It's high in fiber. Almost 40 percent of your daily value can be found in just one cup.
- It's high in healthy, anti-inflammatory fats.
- It aids in the assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins.
- It supports cardiovascular health because of its high B6 and folic-acid content.
- It's great for stabilizing blood-sugar levels, which means it supports weight loss.
More: 6 Green Super Foods to Add to Your Diet
Avocado Tips
- A ready-to-eat avocado should be slightly soft to the touch with little to no brown spots.
- To ripen an avocado faster, place it in a brown paper bag at room temperature.
- To store an unfinished avocado, drizzle it with fresh lemon juice to help prevent browning, and store it in fridge with the pit still in.
More: Smoky Black Bean Stew With Avocado
How to Use: Easy Guacamole
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 bottle of natural salsa (ingredients you can pronounce)
- 1/2 large red or white onion, chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lime or splash of apple cider vinegar
- Minced jalapeno pepper (optional)
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.More: The Health Benefits of Garlic
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