Benefits of Avocados & 6 Avocado Recipes

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Hass Avocado Board.

Avocados are one of my most favorite foods. I actually never tried one until I spent the summer in Puerto Rico during college. There, they hang off the trees in abundance.

I immediately fell in love with the smooth and nutty fruit.

I only ate avocados occasionally up until I was pregnant with our second daughter. It was then that I began to realize the vital importance of good fats, and I began experimenting with different ways to incorporate avocados into my diet.

Over 75 percent of the fat in an avocado is unsaturated, making it a great substitute for foods high in saturated fats!

Benefits of Avocados

•  virtually the only fruit that has monounsaturated fat–which is instrumental to good heart health! Good fats can lower bad cholesterol levels and are beneficial when consumed in moderation.
• nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients per 1-ounce serving!
  
• a good source of lutein, which may aid in eye health
• USDA-recommended as one of the best sources for some of the nutrients needed when pregnant or breastfeeding (I ate a TON while pregnant!!)
• a great first food for baby: In fact, it is the first food I gave two of my girls! (source)

There are so many wonderful ways to incorporate avocados into your diet!

Avocados can be used as part of a variety eating plans and are: nutrient-dense, cholesterol-free, sodium-free and less than 1 gram of sugar per 1 oz serving. The following are some recipes I love, and check out links to even more recipes at the end of this post!

image courtesy Authentic Simplicity 

Chococado Smoothie from Authentic Simplicity

This may have been the first non-berry smoothie I ever tried, and oh.my.goodness…I love, love, love it! The avocado gives the smoothie a texture that mirrors that of a thick milkshake. This smoothie is the perfect breakfast–or dessert!

Raw Chocolate Pudding (using avocados!) from The Nourishing Gourmet

This pudding is as much of a nutrient-dense snack as it is a dessert. Many of the ingredients are the same as the chococado smoothie. It’s a super easy way to sneak avocados into picky eaters!

10-Minute Mediterranean Chickpea Salad from yours truly and posted at Keeper of the Home

Tired of boring leftover lunches, one day I decided to throw open my refrigerator door and toss together something unique based on what I had on hand. I almost always have avocados, and this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad turned out delicious! An added bonus is that it takes less than 10 minutes to prepare!

Mama’s Homemade Guacamole Recipe from Avocado Central 

What I love about this classic recipe is that it’s easy to whip up and is super simple!

image by Kitchen Stewardship

Probiotic Avocado Dip from Kitchen Stewardship

I love when any kind of dip provides flavor AND probiotics to help boost gut health! This recipe does both–and is the perfect dish to take to a party!

Avocado Egg Salad from Avocado Central 

Egg salad had always been a favorite of mine. Coupling the eggs with avocados further packs a nutrient-dense punch.

Check out a TON more recipes over at Avocado Central. 

Do you like avocados? What are some of your favorite avocado recipes? 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Hass Avocado Board.