Avocados are not just for Mexican fiestas! Also known as butterfruit (aka makhanphal), this fat-filled fruit offers a myriad of health benefits!
Did you know one avocado contains 53% of your recommended daily value of vitamin K? It also consists of vitamins B6, C, and E, folates, potassium, pantothenic acid, potassium, and copper! While it is true that avocados are in fats, they are the “good fats” that can actually lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Whether you’re getting tired of the typical way to eat avocado or you just want to surprise your family and friends, these suggestions will help you reap the health benefits of this nutritious fruit in the most enjoyable way!
1. Grill It!
Slice an avocado in half and remove its seed. Add some lemon juice to the halves and brush them with coconut oil. Grill the avocados for two to three minutes while seasoning them with salt and pepper.
2. Healthy Fries Alternative
Did you know that avocados are also an excellent substitute for regular potato fries? You can deep air-fry the slices or bake them too. Dip your avocado fries in mustard, ketchup, ranch or aioli, and you will never again miss potato fries!
3. Avocado Ice Cream for Those With a Sweet Tooth
You can make nutritious and healthier ice cream by combining avocado, A2 milk, lime juice, sugar, and cream. If you want a lighter option, you can use coconut or almond milk as an alternative to dairy, and substitute sugar for honey.
4. Avocado On Toast
Another simple way to enjoy the health benefits of avocado is by making a puree. Use it as a spread on sandwiches instead of margarine and butter. Doing so will provide more vitamins and minerals to your snack. And yes, it will be an Instagram-ready food post!
5. Make a Smoothie!
Avocado makes an excellent base for any smoothie, and it comes with extra nutrients. You can combine it with banana, fresh spinach, blueberries, flaxseed, Greek yogurt, and milk, for example.
6. Avocado Sauce for Pasta
Add a spin to your pasta by making a creamy avocado sauce. You can also include corn and tomatoes for additional health benefits. This sauce can also be added to mac and cheese!
7. Bake It
Avocados do not have to be raw all the time. How about making avocado muffins or avocado cake? These are great ways of using ripe avocados that are sitting free on the kitchen counter.
8. As a Topping
You can make your dishes extra healthier by adding avocado slices on top. Have some on your burgers, pizzas, and sandwiches. They are also perfect for topping nachos and tacos.
Final Word
The consumption of avocados has been shown to improve one’s health in various ways. From weight control to cardiovascular health to healthy aging, there’s almost nothing that this miraculous fruit can’t help you with. On top of that, avocados also taste great and can be easily incorporated into your diet! A reminder, don’t confine yourself to imported avocados, local varieties are also amazing and offer similar levels of versatility!
– Amit Vaidya
Amit Vaidya is the best-selling author of the memoir Holy Cancer and the upcoming Food Is Medicine cookbook series. He is the in-house health & wellness expert for Kapiva Ayurveda, advocating for the empowerment of all individuals to be in the driver’s seat of their own lives. He chronicles his life on Instagram under the handle @live4todayamit.
Also take a look at Diabetes Care Through Natural Foods.
