Adobe Stock
Avocados are my favorite fruit. They are a stone fruit with a creamy texture that can be eaten plain or used in a variety of dishes. Aside from being one of the most delicious things on the planet, they are extremely good for you.
Just one of these little fruits contains almost 20 vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories and are the only fruit that can give you a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats (the good fat). Avocados grow in warmer climates, but you can find them anywhere in the world all year round.
One serving of an avocado (which is approximately 1/5th of one) contains 64 calories, nearly 6 grams of fat, 3.4 grams of carbohydrate, less than one gram of sugar, and almost 3 grams of fiber.
Don’t be scared off from the fat content as avocados are filled with healthy, beneficial fats. They are also an excellent source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6. They provide other vitamins and minerals as well including riboflavin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, lutein, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Avocados have a vast array of health benefits. They are good for your heart, cholesterol levels, vision, and more. They have natural detoxification properties that come from the fiber in them and can protect you from chronic illnesses.
This powerful little fruit can even lower your risk of depression. The high levels of folate help prevent the build-up of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a substance that has been found to impair circulation and slows the delivery of nutrients to the brain.
It can also interfere with the production of mood-regulating things including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. When these things are off-balance, your mood can change, as well as your sleeping and eating habits, leading to depression.
If you choose not to eat plain avocados, there are a number of ways to get them into your diet. You can use avocados as a healthy alternative to anything you put mayonnaise on or in. You can also mash them up to make delicious dips or spread them on your morning toast.
If you don’t like the taste or texture of avocados, add them to a smoothie and you won’t even notice while getting all of the health benefits. Avocados have a mild flavor, which will allow you to sneak them into meals even if you don’t like them.
They aren’t just for adults either. They have a soft, creamy texture which makes them great for kids and babies. They are an excellent food to use in order to get your child extra nutrients on their sandwich or to serve as a healthy snack all by themselves.
