Avocados.........Good or bad fat?

You may be wondering, is avocado a fruit or a vegetable? In fact, avocados are actually a fruit. They are great in both savory and sweet dishes. Am sure this fruit is no stranger to us. The popularity of the avocado is down to its rich, creamy, velvety texture and mild flavor.

Does avocados classify as a good or bad fat?

Again, avocado is a high fat food. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don't just contain any fat... the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil and believed to be responsible for some of its beneficial effects. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. The fats in avocado are also pretty resistant to heat-induced oxidation, making avocado oil a healthy and safe choice for cooking.

So it is safe to say it is good fat. However, Half an avocado counts as one portion of your 5-a day and those managing their weight might want to consider limiting the number of avocados they consume to two per week while increasing the portions of other lower calorie fruits and vegetables.

Major Reasons to fall in love with avocados:

 Healthy Skin, Eyes and Hair

So, why is avocado good for your skin? Rich in fat-soluble vitamins and monounsaturated fats, avocado benefits also include glowing skin, bright eyes and shiny hair both when eaten or used topically. Truth be told, avocado benefits for skin include possibly being nature’s best moisturizer, especially considering their price tag and that they’re completely free from added synthetic chemicals.

 Help with Weight Loss

Contrary to what most people believe, diets lower in carbohydrates (especially high-glycemic, refined carbs) and higher in healthy fats are known to accelerate weight loss — so if you are looking to lose weight fast, avocados are your friend. Fats are super filling and increase satiety hormones that help you eat less overall. They allow you to go longer between meals without getting hungry and help prevent overeating, snacking and sugar addiction. That’s one reason why increasing MUFAs in the diet is related to better weight management and healthier BMI status.

They Contain More Potassium Than Bananas
Potassium is a nutrient that most people aren't getting enough of . This nutrient helps maintain electrical gradients in the body's cells and serves various important functions.
Avocados are actually very high in potassium... with a 100 gram (3.5 ounce) serving containing 14% of the RDA, compared to 10% in bananas, which are a typical high potassium food.
Several studies show that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

Other amazing benefits of  avocados are:
Cancer Prevention
Better Digestive health
Helps in hormonal balance of the body.
Better Hormonal Balance and Cognitive Function.

How to Buy and Use Avocados
If you’re a little hesitant about adding avocados to your daily natural health regimen, don’t be. At the end of the day, it’s quite easy to increase your avocado consumption.

First, make sure the avocado is ripe. The best way to tell is to squeeze the avocado, which should give a firm, but gentle, yield to pressure.
Use it as a fat replacement in baking.
Dice it as a nice topping for your soups or bone broth.
Put it in the food processor to make dessert whips, puddings, smoothies and countless other recipes.
Mash or whip it until completely smooth for a baby’s first food instead of processed food in a Gerber jar.
Put it on top of a salad.
Use it in making homemade guacamole.
Put it on your skin as a natural moisturizer.

What is not to love about avocados?

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