September 07, 2018
Avocados: My Secret To Weight Management
Writen by Naomi Whittel |
Published on: September 07, 2018
Avocado. Yes, this fabulous, fatty, fibrous fruit not only keeps my weight healthy, but it supports my whole body — from the inside, out! Avocados have gotten a lot of attention for their health benefits, mostly due to being packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, soluble fiber, and phytosterols that can help balance your cholesterol levels. Rich in micronutrients and antioxidants, a cup of avocado can help you meet your daily needs for blood-building vitamin K (39%) and folate (30%), adrenal-supporting vitamin B5 (21%), collagen-building vitamin C (25%), pressure-reducing potassium (21%), and even energy-boosting manganese (11%)! Avocado may become a kitchen favorite in no time – just ask my kids!
Read on to learn more about how I enjoy using this versatile fruit for food as medicine (and beauty care too!).
7 Ways To Enjoy Avocado Every Day
1. Build an Autophagy-Activating Breakfast.
The key to a nutrient dense autophagy-activating breakfast is a fat-first approach. My favorite go-to-meal is so great for your skin that I call it “Avocaglow.” It fits in well with my Glow15 IFPC protocol — you can simply add 2 eggs and some feta or goat cheese on top for a high protein day! Less than five minutes is all this takes to put together, perfect for your busy morning. Simply cut an avocado in half, whisk together tea seed or olive oil (2 tsp), lemon juice (1 tsp), salt and red pepper flakes to taste and pour over top. Savor the creamy, rich texture of healthy fats and fiber.
2. Serve over Salad or Swirl into a Smoothie.
Sometimes the easiest solutions are the best. Use avocado’s thick, creamy texture to complement raw vegetables.
- Slice ½ avocado and add a creamy topper to jazz up almost any salad, as avocado pairs and digests well with both other vegetables as well as citrus, berries, and other salad-friendly fruits.
- Dress your salad with a dressing of avocado blended with black pepper, lime juice, and water to both your taste and texture.
- Blend avocado into a smoothie to add creaminess, fiber, healthy fats, and to hold the smoothie together as one consistent texture.
My favorite “blue smoothie” is a blend of frozen blueberries (½ cup), raw kale (1 cup), unsweetened almond milk (1 cup), fresh mint (2-3 leaves per your tastes), and our shining star, avocado (¼ cup).
3. Makeover your Mayo.
It is easier to make a creamy delicious mayonnaise than you may think! In a blender, put the flesh of 1 avocado, the juice of ½ lemon, ¼ tsp salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Blend together. Then, with the blender running, slowly pour in ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil. Enjoy in many ways, including as a dip for fresh vegetables!
4. Whip up a Decadent Dessert.
Did you know you can make a rich chocolate mousse with avocado? This tempting velvety texture is worth the short adventure in the kitchen. Simply blend 2 avocados, ½ cup cocoa powder, and ¼ cup of the milk of your choice, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ⅛ tsp salt, and a pinch of monk fruit sweetener. The hardest part about this fast and delicious dessert is making sure it is completely smooth. Not so hard!