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For years, dietary experts and physicians have been touting the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet as one of the best weight loss products out there. If it can even be called a weight loss product; maybe more like a lifestyle. Many of the foods that make up this dietary plan offer excellent nutritional and cardiovascular bonuses for those wishing to lose weight.
One of the primary foods of the Mediterranean Diet is our inductee for the Best Weight Loss Product Hall of Fame: Avocados.
Avocados are a large fruit, technically a berry, which contain a large seed or pit. The most common type of avocado sold in the United States is the Hass avocado, which has a rough black skin and creamy green flesh. Most of the Avocados consumed in the United States are grown in California, while Mexico leads the world in avocado exports.
Nutritional Benefits of Avocados
Why are Avocados so beneficial to your health? They pack a powerful nutritional punch in every bite; making them one of the best foods you can eat to benefit your health. Each avocado provides 20 essential nutrients, such as fiber, folic acid, potassium, Vitamin E, and the B vitamins.
They also act as a "nutrient booster," because they allow your body to absorb higher quantities of fat-soluble vitamins, like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein, which are essential for eye health.
Avocados also contain high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, also known as MUFAs or "good fats," which keep your body functioning optimally. These fats help you to absorb nutrients and allow your nerves to transmit messages properly.
Health Benefits of Avocados
Obviously, a fruit so chock-full of beneficial nutrients is good for your overall health. But aside from being nutritious, Avocados also provide noteworthy health benefits.
- First, since they are an excellent source of MUFAs, Avocados can improve your overall cardiovascular health. MUFAs work to lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol while boosting levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Second, Avocados can satisfy your cravings for fats or creamy foods while you are dieting, contributing to feelings of satiety, but also packing a nutritional wallop.
How to Prepare Avocados
There are as many ways to prepare Avocados as you can imagine, another reason they are the best weight loss product you can adapt for your diet. Some people enjoy simply scooping the flesh of the fruit out with a spoon. Others enjoy adding them to salads, wraps, or sandwiches. They can be a delicious addition to omelets and stir-fry as well.
The most classic way to enjoy Avocados is a rich spread known as guacamole, which can be used as a dip for vegetables and crackers or used on salads and sandwiches. The following recipe for guacamole is adapted from the California Avocado Commission website:
Ingredients:
4 Avocados, peeled and pitted
2 TBS lemon juice
1 clove crushed garlic
ΒΌ c onion, minced
1/8 tsp cumin
Salsa or hot sauce to taste
Mash Avocados with lemon juice (the juice helps to keep the Avocados from turning brown) using a fork. Blend other ingredients. Chill; serve with tortilla chips or fresh cut raw vegetables. Many people put the pit in with the guacamole; legend has it that the pit keeps the dip fresh for longer and keeps it from turning brown.
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