Hey loves, I used to avoid avocado when I was trying to lose weight, because I so wrongly then thought it was fattening. Boy, was I way off, it’s a perfect, luscious diet food.
Here are some fascinating facts about what is now one of my favorite things in life, sooo good for your glowy Summer skin, and low carb to boot!
1.) An avocado is actually a fruit, an oily berry.
2.) Avocados are high in BOTH omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, the two most important ones, from what I hear. As you know, our bodies and brains need some damn healthy fats to function properly.
Omega 3 fatty acids are often missing in the average American/western diet, which can lead to crap health, in my scientific opinion, ha.
3.) There’s no cholesterol in avocados. Suck it, hatas.
4.) They’re full of fiber as well as low carb.
5.) Avocados are a complete protein.
They have “predigested protein.” That sounds gross, but it’s cool, man: The sun breaks the protein into easily digested amino acids while the avocados ripen in their happy fruity trees.
Avocado provides all 18 essential amino acids needed by the body to create a complete protein. Vegetarians and vegans, this is bliss.
6.) Avocados are full of the mineral magnesium, which is involved in over 300 metabolic functions of the body. A lot of people don’t get enough magnesium. Have you ever had leg cramps in bed? I read they can be caused by this. TMI?
7.) Some yummy real guacamole also helps give your body glutathione, the top anti-oxidant that helps the liver replenish all the other anti-oxidants. Sounds pretty important, because I’ve challenged my liver, dude.
8.) My plump green friends also have Vitamins A, B complex, K, E and Vitamin C, yo.
9.) Like olive oil, avocados boost levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol). HDL cholesterol can help protect against the damage caused by free radicals. The shizz that causes cancer, no?
10.) This type of friendly cholesterol also helps regulate triglyceride levels, possibly preventing diabetes.
The combo of nutrients is also anti-inflammatory, which does everything from help prevent premature aging (wrinkles), prevent heart disease, etc., etc…
I’ll stop there, but basically, it’s a freakin’ wonder food.
A whole medium sized avocado has about 300 calories. I use about a third at a time, so maybe 100 calories or so, but sometimes I go crazy and eat a half or a whole one as a mini meal.
I add some low fat ranch dressing in the cup where the seed was, sometimes I sprinkle on Bac-Os on top of that and eat it straight out of the skin with a spoon!
Or I add just a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt and fresh lemon juice.
Little known fact: Once the avos are just perfectly ripe, firm, but where you can indent your thumb easily into the skin, put them in the fridge. They last longer.
Another easy recipe: Avocado and your favorite salsa mixed together for no-work guacamole. I prefer a fresh salsa from the refrigerated section, but any kind is pretty awesome.
Or just avo, chopped onion, garlic and salt. Simple.
Your skin, heart, and mind will thank you for being so dang smart.
XOXO-
~ Heidi
