The word “superfood” has received lots of buzz in recent months. Meaning “packed with health benefits” this moniker has been applied to everything from salmon to garlic, but quite possibly nothing brightens my day more than learning that one of my very favorite foods has achieved superfood status.
Not only are avocados delicious (and this is coming from someone whose taste buds can tend to be picky), but they are also one of the healthiest fruits out there. They are rich in good fats, full of fiber and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. One serving alone (about half of a small avocado) delivers 26% of your daily Vitamin K, 20% of your folate, 17% of your Vitamin C, 14% of your B5, 13% of your B6 and 10% of your Vitamin E. If you lost track, that’s six essential nutrients in one yummy serving!
Going beyond the list above, avocados are also a highly efficient way to get a dose of potassium. They are a better balance of carbs, fat protein and fiber than everyone’s favorite choice for this mineral, bananas – and in my opinion, they are much tastier, too! Making this simple swap will help to keep all of your cells and organs healthy.
If you’re still not convinced, how about the fact that avocados are high in healthy fats? Avocados are packed with oleic acid, which has been shown to reduce inflammation (including skin problems) and prevent certain types of cancer. They will also help you to absorb all of your fat-soluble nutrients, like Vitamins A, K, D and E, making sure that you get the most out of the healthy choices that you are already making.
By now you probably catch my drift: adding an avocado or two a week into your diet is definitely a good idea! This superfood can do wondrous things for your body and I have also learned that half an avocado sprinkled with salt and pepper can actually be a delicious (and quite filling!) snack. In fact, because of their fiber content, avocados can actually support weight loss, pushing them to the tippy top of my list of favorite foods.
So… cut them up in salads, whip up a salsa, or stick some slices in your favorite sandwich or wrap!
What are some of your favorite ways to include avocado in your diet? Let us know in the comments, tweet us, or comment on our Facebook…
As long as it will do good on my skin, I will surely eat it. And since avocado is not just a yummy and delicious fruit but packed with oleic acid too, which has been shown to reduce inflammation including skin problems, then I’ll make sure to eat everyday of it. Thanks for sharing this good news and making us all aware which food is right to eat.