Avocado: Good For More Than Just Guacamole!

Filed in archive From Garden to Table , Ingredient Spotlight on June 4, 2010

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Avocados are plentiful during the summer months. While this fruit is essential for making guacamole, it also provides protection from heart diseases and cancer, while improving overall health.

Here are some facts and tips for putting in avocado into your daily diet from ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Sharon M. Weinstein, MS, RN, CRNI, FACW, FAAN:

Heart Health

1. Potassium and cholesterol-lowering properties in avocados promote heart health.
2. Folic acid from avocados lowers the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

Cancer Prevention

1. Phytochemicals, chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants, help to prevent oral cancer.
2. Monounsaturated oils in avocados may help prevent prostate and breast cancers.

Overall Health

1. Avocados contain 30% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber, which can help fight digestive problems.
2. Avocados contain Vitamin A, B, D and E that moisturize skin.
3. The fat in avocado is unsaturated oleic acid; it is good for the body and helps to absorb more nutrients from food.
4. Potassium in avocados aids in muscle recovery for athletes.
5. Avocados are known to promote sexual health through the production of sex hormones, which support attraction, mood and desire.
6. A whole avocado has about 240 calories. A recommended serving size is two tablespoons, or roughly one-sixth of a medium-sized avocado.

Incorporating avocado into your daily diet

1. Use avocado as a garnish for black bean soup.
2. Avocado is a healthy replacement for mayonnaise.
3. Add sliced avocado to a summer salad.
4. Compliment your favorite Mexican dish with avocado slices and a wedge of lime.

When avocados are in season, I eat them ripe with a little sprinkled sugar and sometimes making it a milk shake. Either way, it's yummy!