12 Reasons to Eat Avocados Every Day (guaranteed to never get bored of them)
Sure, we all know that avocados are delicious. But did you know that they're also incredibly versatile? Whether you're looking for a quick and easy snack or a creative way to spruce up your dinner plate, there's an avocado dish for every tastebud and cuisine.
Are avocados good for you? What are the health benefits?
1. They're rich in fiber
Avos are not only delicious, but they're also packed with nutrients. In fact, they're a great source of fiber, which can help with digestive health and keep you regular.
Fiber is important for everyone because it helps keep us feeling full and satisfied after we eat. But it's especially important for people who are trying to lose weight or manage their diabetes.
2. They're high in healthy fats
Another reason to love avocados? They're loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. In fact, about 75% of the fat in avocados is the "good" type of fat, which can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
3. They can help you lose weight (or maintain a healthy weight)
Even though avocados are high in fat, they're also low in calories. So, if you're trying to lose weight (or maintain a healthy weight), they can actually be a helpful part of your diet.
Since they're high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, they help you feel full and satisfied after eating. This can help you eat less overall and make healthier choices throughout the day.
4. Avocados are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Avocados are a good source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as potassium.
Vitamin C: Important for many body functions. It helps the body to absorb iron, helps to maintain connective tissue, and helps to heal wounds.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which means it helps to protect cells from damage. Several studies have shown that vitamin C can help to reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
Vitamin E: A fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body. It helps to protect cells from damage and plays a role in immunity.
Vitamin K: Important for blood clotting and bone health.
Potassium: A mineral that's important for muscle function, heart health, and fluid balance.
B6: Helps the body to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. It also helps to convert food into energy and supports the immune system.
The antioxidants in avocados can help protect your body from cell damage and may even help to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases like cancer.
5. They can help improve your skin health
The fatty acids in avocados can help to keep your skin hydrated and supple.
Fatty acids in food protect the skin by forming a barrier that helps to lock in moisture. They also help to reduce inflammation, which can lead to skin conditions like eczema.
The antioxidants may help to protect it from damage caused by the sun and pollution.
6. They can help improve your brain health
The healthy fats in avocados can help to improve blood flow to the brain, which may help to protect against age-related cognitive decline.
When the brain doesn't receive enough blood flow, it can lead to problems with memory and thinking.
Healthy fats protect the myelin which is a layer of insulation around nerve cells. This layer helps to keep electrical signals flowing smoothly between neurons.
7. They may help to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases
The nutrients in avocados may help to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants in avocados can help to reduce inflammation, which is a major risk factor for these diseases.
8. They protect against diabetes
The healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants in avocados can help to protect against type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation is a major factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. The nutrients in avocados can help to reduce inflammation, which may help to prevent or delay its onset.
The fiber can also help to regulate blood sugar levels, which is important for diabetics.
9. They're a source of vegan protein
If you're following a vegan or plant-based diet, (because like, why wouldn't you be, right?) they can be a great source of protein.
Protein is essential for many body functions, including building and repairing tissues, making enzymes and hormones, and providing energy.
While they aren't a complete protein, they're a good source of the essential amino acid lysine.
One avocado contains about 250 calories. However, since avocados are packed with nutrients and healthy fats, they're a great addition to any diet.
So whether you're munching on them plain or adding them to your favorite recipe, you can rest assured that you're getting plenty of nutrition along with that amazing avo taste.
10. They can help improve your gut health
Avocados contain a type of soluble fiber called pectin, which can help to improve gut health. Pectin is a prebiotic, which means it helps to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
These bacteria are important for many body functions, including digestion, immunity, and brain health.
Pectin can also help to reduce inflammation and may even help to prevent some types of cancer.
11. They're easy to add to your diet
Avocados are a versatile fruit that can be easily added to your diet.
You can eat them on their own, add them to salads or sandwiches, or use them as a healthy alternative to mayo or other high-fat condiments. This makes it a great way to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables into your life.
You can also use them in place of butter or oil when cooking.
1. Add avocado slices to your breakfast toast.
2. Make a quick guacamole for a mid-day snack.
3. Add avocado chunks to your lunchtime salad.
4. Use avocado as a healthy topping for your dinner tacos or enchiladas.
12. They're delicious!
This is probably the most important reason to love avos! They're creamy, flavorful, and satisfying. Whether you eat them on their own or add them to other dishes, they're sure to please your taste buds.
With all of these great benefits, it's no wonder that they're such a popular food. So, next time you're looking for a healthy snack or addition to a meal, reach for an avocado!
Avocado FAQs 🥑
What happens to your body when you eat an avocado a day?
An avocado a day is good for heart health. It will also prevent constipation. They clean out toxins from the body and your gi tract.
What are the side effects of eating too many avocados?
It's hard to overdo it with them, since they are so satiating. Too many avocados in one sitting may lead to stomach upset, but this will vary with each individual.'
Should I eat avocado morning or night?
Morning: Some sources say you should avoid consuming avocado on an empty stomach because you will have trouble digesting the high-fat content. Since all bodies are different, this may be true for some and false for others. Avocado toast is popular for a reason, so try pairing the fruit with a carb to be safe.
Benefits of night avo: According to Saatva.com, "Not only are avocados a good source of magnesium, which is helpful in relaxation, but they also contain more potassium than bananas." Meaning, they are fine and beneficial to consume before bedtime. We prefer avocado mousse for dessert.
How can I tell when my avocado is ripe?
One of the only bad things about the fruit is it ripens quickly and rots even faster. You don't need to refrigerate your avocados but should check them frequently. When they are firm, but yield to pressure all around, they are ready. If they are super soft, they have likely turned rotten already.
If you want one to ripen faster, you can add it to a brown paper bag. You can also freeze them when ripe by cubing and storing in a freezer-safe bag, perfect for smoothies!
Is avocado good for hair?
Since avocado has biotin in it, it's a solid choice for hair masks. It will make your hair shinier, softer, and stronger.
While there are lots of DIY recipes available, avocado-enriched self-care cosmetic items have dominated the market, with its health benefits on the outside just as good as on the inside.
Let's talk about how we can actually incorporate avocados into our day-to-day lives in a simple, delicious way.
Can avocados benefit females?
Studies have been done that conclude eating avocado may help in redistributing body fat in women. You can read more about one study in Consumer Affairs.
Avo for breakfast and brunch
For breakfast, try pairing diced avocado with thinly sliced tomatoes, or start your day with a nutrient-packed salad by topping mixed greens with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette. You could opt for the beloved avo toast on your choice of bread like whole-grain, sourdough, or even a pretzel bun.
Don't forget to add everything bagel seasoning and hemp seeds. You might want a balsamic glaze if you're really in the mood for something good.
If you want to skip the bread, try making guacamole! Great for dipping raw veggies in or even eating plain.
Avo for lunch and dinner
Our favorite go to's for vegan avocado dinner recipes:
Inspired by VeganFoodsandLiving
Cucumber soup
On a burger
Slaw
Pasta sauce
Homemade vegan seaweed
Grilled avocados with the skin on for a smoky taste
Added to any Mexican dish like tacos, burritos, wraps, or bowls
As a salad topper
Served on the side for extra protein
so much more
Avo for dessert- chocolate avocado mousse
And last but not least, don't forget that avocados make a great healthy dessert! For a sweet treat, try blending avocado with cocoa powder, plant-based milk, and your choice of sweetener to make a delicious chocolate pudding.
Chocolate avocado mousse
Ingredients:
1 large ripe avocado
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup your choice non-dairy milk
2 tablespoons sweetener (we use maple or monk fruit syrup)
Instructions:
1. Start by scooping the flesh of one large ripe avocado into a bowl.
2. Add cocoa powder, non-dairy milk and sweetener of your choice.
3. Use a fork or immersion blender to mash and mix everything together until smooth.
4. Spoon mousse into individual bowls and enjoy as is or top with fresh fruit, nuts or shredded coconut.
5. Chocolate avocado mousse will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days – enjoy!
How to eat avocado without tasting it when you don't like it
If you're not a fan of the taste of avocado, don't worry – there are plenty of ways to enjoy this healthy fruit without tasting it.
The best way to do this is to throw it into a smoothie. It will make is really creamy, but you won't be able to taste it because it will be masked by other flavors.
At lunchtime, make a sandwich or wrap using avocado as a base instead of mayo or cream cheese.
And for dinner, try incorporating avocado into sauces and dressings. You'll get all the health benefits of avocado without even knowing it's there!
Get your Avo on
Avocados are a great source of nutrients like vitamins C, E, and K, as well as fiber and healthy fats. Eating an avocado a day can help to improve your brain health, reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, and even help you to lose weight.
As you can see, there are endless ways to enjoy avocado – no matter what time of day it is. So go ahead and add this healthy fruit to your diet – your body (and taste buds) will thank you!
Did you get your avo on today? Share the recipe below!
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If you love fruit as much as we do, you might want to read up on oranges. Vitamin C is not all they bring to the table.
Further reading you may enjoy:
