All About Avocados
By Amy Silva
Avocados contain good fat and are a healthy addition to your diet. While they are a healthy food, they do have a high calorie content so should be eaten in moderation unless you're on a specific type of diet, such as keto. It's widely popular when made into guacamole, but it has many more uses in food dishes as well as health benefits.
About Avocado
Many don't consider avocados a fruit, but they are. What may be more surprising is that they're a berry. Avocados are referred to as alligator pears and they grow on trees native to Mexico. They are grown in warmer regions of the United States and a few countries in South America, as well as islands including Indonesia and the Dominican Republic. They can also be found in other areas of the world such as in Australia, South Africa and the Mediterranean, to name a few.
Health Benefits of Avocado
Avocados contain antioxidants, fiber and a number of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron and potassium. When comparing the potassium in avocados with that in bananas, avocados contain more per gram than bananas. The anti-inflammatory properties may help those suffering from certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It's possible they can raise good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol. Other potential health benefits include helping blood pressure and blood sugar, and even lowering the risk of some kinds of cancer.
Ways to Use Avocado
While avocados are great when eaten plain or with a bit of seasoning, there are plenty of other meal options to try using avocado such as:
- As a topping or dip - Plain avocado can be added to toast, mixed with hummus or made into guacamole and used to dip chips, pretzels and vegetables
- Mix it in - Avocados can be chopped or sliced and added to salads, mixed with eggs, added to smoothies or eaten as a side with lunch or dinner
- As a substitute - Avocados can be used in place of mayonnaise, sour cream and even butter and oil if you want to save a few calories when baking sweet treats
Avocados have numerous health benefits and are a good source of healthy fat. They can be used in a variety of food dishes including being used as substitutes for other types of food to make healthier versions of meals and snacks.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in National City, Calif.