Avocado: Super Food or Super Fad?

By Kristen Tice, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
June 12, 2013

Nowadays it seems that almost everyplace you go to eat has some item being advertised with Avocado as the selling factor. Avocados are in fact very good for you, but don’t think that a little piece of this fruit (yes, it is a fruit, not a vegetable) will instantly make a Big Mac healthy. It is a super food, but it’s not green gold so a side of guacamole at Chipotle won’t erase the 1,000-calorie burrito you just ate. There simply isn’t an ingredient that could do that, but it does obviously increase the nutritional value of any food you add it to. One reason some people avoid Avocados is because of their high fat content, but these are good fats which your body needs to function.

This truly is a super food that can provide plenty of vitamins and minerals. Just one Avocado has your daily value of fiber, vitamin E, and B vitamins! There is also a large amount of antioxidants, which are good immune boosters. It’s a perfect food for a pregnant woman to add to their diet due to the folic acid content and vitamin B6, which are necessary for healthy fetal development and the B6 helps alleviate morning sickness. So pregnant ladies out there; don’t feel guilty about munching on some chips and guacamole, feel proud!

Another benefit of this super food is that it has a tough protective skin that keeps most pesticides out of the actual meat; so buying organic Avocados isn’t really necessary. Now that you know the health benefits, you can see that it’s not a ‘super fad’ and is a rare treat that’s good for both your taste buds and body. Whether you’re an Avocado aficionado or a newfound lover, just remember these health benefits of adding it to your diet.
 
I personally love adding Avocados to almost any dish, from a fresh summer salad, replacing it with the bacon in a BLT, or just some simple guacamole. You really can’t go wrong as long as the meat of the fruit is freshly sliced, just know that after a day or two it will start to brown if you don’t cover it. The fresh green slices can make almost any food look appetizing since we eat with our eyes first; so make sure to consume it quickly (although that shouldn’t be too much trouble).

If you’re new to buying Avocados on your own, they’re pretty simple to get into without making a mess. Here’s a video to illustrate the simplicity!

For more tips and help with your own personal nutrition plan, visit www.EliteNutritionandPerformance.com   

Kristen Tice, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Registered Sports Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer
[email protected]
803-200-2506
www.EliteNutritionandPerformance.com