AVOCADOS FOR HEALTH

Avocados have a unique nutrient profile – where most fruit predominantly contain carbs; avocados are high in healthy fats.

Nutritious – There are many varieties of avocados. The most popular is the Hass avocado, which is available throughout the year. Twenty vitamins and minerals are packed into a single avocado, including 26% of the RDA for Vitamin K, 20% for Folate, and 17% for Vitamin C. That is just in one avocado! 

Although it contains 9 grams of carbs, 7 of those are fiber so there are only 2 “net” carbs, making it a low-carb friendly plant food. They also contain no cholesterol or sodium.  More Potassium than bananas! Potassium is a critical nutrient that many people are not getting enough of. Potassium helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells and serves various important functions. The average avocado contains 14% of the RDA (recommended daily amount) for Potassium while a banana only contains 10% even though they are often considered the holy grail of high potassium foods.

Heart Healthy – Avocados are filled with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Most of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil – which is believed to be the reason for its beneficial effects. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have effects on the genes linked to cancer.

What more could you ask for in a food? Keep up with the workshops we host throughout the month to learn more about nutrition and healthy eating!