Avocados - I love them, but their so high in calories?

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Replies

  • ckopeny1
    ckopeny1 Posts: 46 Member
    Leave the seed in the half that you do not eat, store in the fridge. You need to eat it within a day or two max. :)
  • ncl1313
    ncl1313 Posts: 237 Member
    I used to meticulously meld a piece of plastic wrap to the cut surfaces of my leftover avocado, pressing out air bubbles to get rid of the dreaded brown spots, until I found out you can store a cut up avocado submerged in water in a container overnight. They're so high in fat that they won't absorb the water that quickly, and that way they're not exposed to ANY air..

    The only thing the citrus and pit tricks do is keep less of the surface area exposed to air. I've found the water trick works so much better.

    On avocado storage & ripening: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/01/the-food-lab-the-best-guacamole-avocados-science-browning-ripening.html?ref=search

    I do a similar water thing...I cut in half and then put it cut side down in a container with about an inch of water spiked with lemon juice. I've had it keep for up to 3 days that way.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    moderation? avocados? really?

    eat them as much as you want.
  • sk_pirate
    sk_pirate Posts: 282 Member
    Also, I probably eat more avocados than most people, and have lost nearly 50 lbs regardless...

    Oh dear...I read this over too quickly and saw "I eat more avocados than people"

    Whoops!!!!
  • fabulara
    fabulara Posts: 94 Member
    So those of you who don't eat a whole one...how do you store the other half without it getting gross?

    I share with another person.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Avocados = good fat and cals.
  • dawningr
    dawningr Posts: 387 Member
    they're... not their...

    and they're good for you. Eat them. In moderation.

    :love:
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    Avocado is actually pretty low-calorie for being so fatty (you can eat half an avocado for the same calories as 1 serving of mayo). They're seriously good for you and help keep you full. Eat them.
    This! I will often use it as a spread on a sandwich instead of mayo... something I mix it with a little cayenne pepper for kick!
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 1,163 Member
    I don't think I like avocado's that much. Can someone recommend a good simple starter dish way of having them for the non believers?
  • carlysuzanne85
    carlysuzanne85 Posts: 204 Member
    Avocado is actually pretty low-calorie for being so fatty (you can eat half an avocado for the same calories as 1 serving of mayo). They're seriously good for you and help keep you full. Eat them.
    This! I will often use it as a spread on a sandwich instead of mayo... something I mix it with a little cayenne pepper for kick!

    Ooh, good suggestion on the cayenne. I am definitely trying that!
  • lfergurson1
    lfergurson1 Posts: 137 Member
    I have skin issues and constantly watch how much good fats I get in my diet avacados arent my favorite taste but neither are brussel sprouts so I include like half of one in smoothies to help with nails hair and skin. Almonds are another one of those complex food with the higher calories but so much good fat ... its better to eat the good fats than the bad ones and they are hunger busters for sure.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Hi I saw a recipe posted today that had avocado & shrimp, two of my favourite ingredients. However calorie wise an avocado is really high. I've heard it said that it is a good fat ?

    Avocados are nutrient dense whole foods...they are very good for you. They are chalk full of nutrients, including hear healthy fats among other things. Yes...you actually do need fat...most people don't get enough good fats like those that come from avocado, nuts, olive oil, fish, etc. Also, calorie dense =/= bad food.

    From this...

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/237285-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-avocados/
    Perhaps like many Americans, you avoid avocados because you've heard about their high fat content. While this creamy, green fruit does have its share of fat, it also comes packed with nutrients that can help keep you healthy, as summarized on Avocado.org, the website of the California Avocado Commission. Besides, the fat is the monounsaturated kind that's good for your heart. Vitamins, minerals and substances linked to reduced cancer risk; avocados have it all so maybe it's time to take another look.

    Carotenoids

    No one food can cure or prevent all disease and cancer but some nutrients, such as those in avocados, have protective benefits that you should know about. Carotenoids play a potential role in cancer and disease prevention. The most prevalent carotenoid in avocados, lutein, may help you avoid macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults, according to a 2003 article in Annual Review of Nutrition. Another study by published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that an avocado extract also inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells.

    Vitamins

    Avocado.org explains the nutritional advantage of avocados, showing that they provide you with a very high density of nutrients, including at least 4 percent of the daily requirement per serving of vitamins C, E, B6 and K. A serving of avocado--1/5th of a fruit--also provides a significant amount of folate. This B-vitamin, recognized for its importance in heart health, also plays a critical role in the development of your unborn baby's nervous system.

    Monounsaturated Fats and Cholesterol

    Avoiding all fats in your diet isn't only unnecessary, but also unhealthy. The American Heart Association specifically mentions avocados on its website as a recommended source of monounsaturated fat. These fats help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol and raising HDL, the good cholesterol.

    Nutrient Absorption

    The good fats in avocados have another benefit, too. One study reported in the Journal of Nutrition in 2005 confirmed that adding avocado to your salad or salsa allows you to absorb more of those all-important carotenoids from other fruits and vegetables. In other words, avocado helps you maximize the nutritional value of your whole meal.

    Minerals and Electrolytes

    Avocados also supply minerals such as magnesium and electrolytes including potassium, says the California Avocado Commission. Both of these required nutrients contribute to proper function of your cells, muscles and organs. If you add in the fact that they are sodium and cholesterol free and use them in moderation as part of a sensible diet, the benefits of eating avocados become even more evident.