Are avocados good for you? They may be worth the up-charge.
We really love avocado.
Whether it’s slathered on toast or wrapped up in a burrito, avocado is a beloved food − so much so that we often pay an additional charge when dining out to enjoy it. So here is some really good news: It’s fantastic for your health.
You may have heard that avocados are healthy – but why? What do they do for our bodies? Are there any downsides to eating them? We spoke with Kat Benson, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching to answer all of your burning questions about this super-food.
Are avocados good for you?
Yes!
It may seem like avocados are a recent health trend – but they’ve been around. “Avocados have become more popular over the past decade, but their health benefits and delicious taste have long been enjoyed,” says Benson.
What kind of benefits do they offer? Benson explains some of the advantages:
- They contain healthy fats – specifically unsaturated (heart-healthy) fats.
- They contain micronutrients like potassium and other vitamins and minerals.
- They have fiber. Benson explains, “Avocados are a surprising source of fiber. Half of a medium avocado contains around 5g of dietary fiber. And because fats can help increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin E), they make for a great addition to any vegetable-rich meal or as part of a balanced snack.”
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What does avocado do to your body?
Avocados can help our health in numerous ways, but they likely get their reputation as a healthy food because of their source of healthy fat (monosaturated fat). According to the American Heart Association, these fats help your body:
- get energy
- support cells
- protect your organs
- keep warm
- absorb nutrients
- produce hormones
Is there a downside to eating avocados?
Although avocados are dense in fat, they do not contain cholesterol. However, fats are still dense in calories. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health gives a breakdown of the nutritional content of avocado, “A whole medium avocado contains about 240 calories, 13 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams protein, 22 grams fat (15 grams monounsaturated, 4 grams polyunsaturated, 3 grams saturated), 10 grams fiber, and 11 milligrams sodium. Along with their low sodium levels, avocados contain no cholesterol.”
Even though calorie levels can be high, it is perfectly acceptable in the context of a well-rounded diet.
Avocados may cost you a few dollars upfront – but your body may thank you later.
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