The avocado has been called the world’s most
perfect food and has many health benefit, it has achieved this distinction
because many nutritionists claim it not only contains everything a person needs
to survive but has also been found to
contribute to the prevention and control of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease,
diabetes and other health conditions.
The avocado originated in Puebla,
Mexico and its earliest use dates back to 10,000 years B.C. the avocado, also
called the alligator pear, is a high-fiber, sodium and cholesterol-free food
that provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, is rich in
healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids),
vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin,
pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) — as well as
potassium.
There are many ways to eat this
delicious vegetable;
1. The easiest way is to cut the avocado in half and
sprinkle it with salt or eat it plain as it is.
2. Chop
the avocado and add it to a salad, or use it as a topping or side garnish for
soup.
3. Mash an
avocado and spread it on bread or a cracker(in place of butter or cream
cheese).
4. Cut an
avocado in half and fill the little hollow (left after you remove the pit) with
your favorite healthy topping such as herbed rice or couscous.
5. Blended
with fruit, avocados make a rich and delicious snack, side dish or dessert —
and produces highly-nutritious baby food which delivers “good fat” for baby’s
brain and physical development.
Avocados have lots of calories because of
their fat content. According to Web MD, “A medium-sized avocado contains 30
grams of fat, as much as a quarter-pound burger”. Diet experts have long urged
to go easy on avocados in favor of less fatty fruits and vegetables. But nutritionists
taking another look, are finding that most of the fat in an avocado is
monounsaturated the “good” kind that actually lowers cholesterol levels.
