5 reasons to love Avocados

5 reasons to love Avocados

Ah, the avocado! Forbidden fruit? Or nutrition all-star? Once maligned for being a high-fat food, research from the last several decades proved that the avocado is a nutritional powerhouse.Here are 5 reasons to love avocados:
1.Nutrients packed. Avocados provide nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including vitamin E, vitamin C, folate, fiber, iron, potassium, lutein and beta-carotene. What’s more, they’re a ‘nutrient booster”, enabling our bodies to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, like vitamins A, D, E and K, in foods that we eat with the fruit.
2. They may help your waistline. More good news: Avocados are low in calories. One-fifth of a medium avocado (1oz) has 50 calories and is a smart substitute for butter, mayonnaise, cheese, bacon and other high calorie toppings and condiments. Replace 1 slice of American cheese with 2 tablespoons of avocado, and you’ll slash calories and fat in half! Plus, the rich, creamy texture of avocados makes them a satisfying snack.
3. Picking a perfect avocado is easier than you think. Avocados ripen after they are picked. The best way to tell if one is ripe and ready for immediate use is to gently squeeze the fruit in the palm of your hand. Ripe, ready-to-eat fruit will be firm yet will yield to gentle pressure. Don’t judge by color alone. Some varieties retain their light-green skin even when ripe. To accelerate ripening place avocados in a paper bag and store at room temperature 65-75° until ready to eat. Including an apple or kiwifruit in the bag speeds up the process because these fruits give off natural ethylene gas, which will help the ripening process.
4. They’re heart smart. Yes, avocados do contain fat – however, the fats in avocados are primarily the heart-healthy monounsaturated variety. According to the America Heart Association, monounsaturated fat can help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels and are beneficial when consumed in moderation. Avocados provide 3 grams monounsaturated fat and 0.5 polyunsaturated grams fat per 1 oz. serving.
5. They may help your blood pressure. One ounce of avocado (1/5 of a medium avocado) provides 140 g of potassium or 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming a diet that’s rich in potassium, which blunts the effect of salt on blood pressure and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
So if you've never loved this fruit,i think its high time you  included it in your list of groceries when next you go fruit shopping!!!