Avocado

Avocados are one of my absolute favorite fruits, and I several per week! Avocados have a rich and buttery flavor that tastes amazing in creamy smoothies, chocolate moose, salads and grain dishes, spread on toast, sandwiches, tacos, and as a sauce for pastas.

  • Avocados contain super healthy fats that are beneficial for your entire body. These fats are important monounsaturated fats like oleic and linoleic acid, which promote heart health and help to regulate cholesterol.
  • Avocados are a good source of fiber as well a being a nutrient powerhouse, packed with protein, potassium, folate, iron, copper, and vitamins A, B, C, E, & K.
  • Avocados contain the highest amount of beta-sitosterol in fruits: a plant-based fat that helps to reduce ‘bad’ HDL cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines.
  • They are packed with many key carotenoids (antioxidants, baby!), which help to enhance our immune system. Here’s an important part: many of those super carotenoids are located on the dark green flesh of the avocado closest to the peel. So make sure to scoop out all that goodness!
  • Due to their beneficial fat content, avocados enhance nutrient absorption when eaten with other foods. Research has shown that absorption of two important antioxidants, lycopene and beta-carotene (found in things like tomato and sweet potato), increases by 200-400% when avocado is added.

Vegukate Tips:

You do not have to buy organic as avocados usually appear on the “clean fifteen” due to their dark shell exteriors.

Avocados should be stored at room temperature until they become slightly soft when gently squeezed. Once ripe, store avocados in the refrigerator until ready to use.