An avocado a day might not keep the doctor away, but it is good for you! The humble avocado is packed with healthy fats and other nutrients that are good for your heart. An Avocado a day won’t shrink Belly Fat, But Helps With Cholesterol! If you’re trying to cut back on fat or just want to add another nutrient-rich food to your diet, avocados may be a perfect choice.
They also have plenty of fiber and vitamins K and E. With all that goodness packed into an avocado, it’s hard to believe they have so few calories and almost no fat. And adding them to your diet can help you lose weight and improve your cholesterol. Let’s take a closer look at how avocados can help keep your heart healthy…
How does an avocado a day help your heart?
Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which are known for their ability to reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood. When it comes to your blood, cholesterol is like a highway: your body needs to stay healthy, but if there are too many cars on the road, they can cause a traffic jam. But adding avocados to your diet is like taking those cars off the road and making room for good cholesterol to run smoothly.
Eating avocados has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 10%, which is significant! For the best cholesterol-lowering benefits, try adding a quarter of an avocado to your diet each day. Though, be sure to choose a Hass avocado, which is the most common variety available in supermarkets. That’s because avocados are extremely rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by 9% when eaten as part of a healthy diet.
Lose weight with avocados
Eating avocados can help you lose weight in two different ways: by adding them to your diet and staying full for longer, or by replacing something else in your diet that may have been fattening. With a high fiber content, avocados help you stay full for longer and eat less overall, which is one of the keys to losing weight. Plus, they’re low in calories, which makes them an excellent swap for higher-calorie foods.
Again, it’s all about making good choices when you’re trying to lose weight. Don’t try to replace your entire menu with avocado mash; instead, try adding a portion of avocado to your diet each day. For example, you could use avocado to replace some mayonnaise in your next sandwich or add it to a salad for extra flavor and texture.
Increase Good Cholesterol
As we’ve already seen, avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol. But what about HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that helps keep your heart healthy? Avocados are also high in fiber, and consuming fiber is one of the best ways to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. To get the most out of your avocado, the best way is to eat it raw.
A few slices on your salad, a couple of slices on a sandwich, or a big scoop on top of a bowl of veggies can help you get more fiber in your diet. To get the best cholesterol-lowering benefits, try adding half an avocado to your diet every day. Though, be sure to choose a Haas avocado, which is the most common variety available in supermarkets.
Help Burn Off Bad Cholesterol
As we’ve seen, avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol. But what about HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that helps keep your heart healthy? Avocados are also high in fiber, and consuming fiber is one of the best ways to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. To get the most out of your avocado, the best way is to eat it raw.
A few slices on your salad, a couple of slices on a sandwich, or a big scoop on top of a bowl of veggies can help you get more fiber in your diet. To get the best cholesterol-lowering benefits, try adding a quarter of an avocado to your diet each day. Though, be sure to choose a Haas avocado, which is the most common variety available in supermarkets.
An avocado a day won’t shrink your belly, but it will help with cholesterol.
If you’ve never tried avocados before, but want to add them to your diet, the best way to do so is to start small. Eating too many avocados at once can cause digestive issues, like stomach cramps and diarrhea. To get the most out of avocados, choose them over fattening foods like mayonnaise, butter, and sour cream. Try adding a quarter of an avocado to your salad or sandwich next time you eat out.
How to add more avocados to your diet
If you’ve never tried avocados before, now is the perfect time to start! Avocados are incredibly versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Plus, they’re packed with nutrients, vitamins, and healthy fats that are good for your heart. For those who already regularly enjoy the taste and texture of avocados, try adding a few more portions to your diet each week.
There’s no wrong way to eat an avocado. Whether you choose to mash it up and use it as a spread, slice it up and put it on a sandwich, or bake it into a sweet treat, avocados make almost any dish better. And the best part? Avocados are so nutritious and delicious, that you might not even notice that you’re eating a superfood.
