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Tasty Tuesdays: Avocados – Are They Good For You?

By August 9, 2011April 15th, 2018General Updates

Guacamole, Salads, Facials… these are just a few of the many glorious ways in which avocados can be used. It is said that they provide nearly 20 essential nutrients and they also help your body absorb nutrients. On the other hand, they are high in calories and fat so eating too many can make you pack on the old “lbs.” So the question stands: Should avocados be a staple in your diet because of their nutritional value or should they be avoided because of the calories/fat?

Avocados contain great nutritious value that can help our bodies as long as you don’t over do it. This fruit contains nutritients like fiber, potassium, folic acid, B-vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin C. In a study documented on WebMD, the volunteers who ate avocados every day for a week experienced lower levels of “LDL” (low-density lipoprotein), or “bad fat.” Another good thing is that avocados enable the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein (in foods that are eaten along with the avocados) (www.avocado.org).

Avocados are also said to be high in fat and calories. One full avocado can equal between 200-300 calories and as much as 30 grams of fat (www.webmd.com)! But don’t turn away just yet. Since avocados provide the “right” kind of fat, it influences your health in a positive way. Monounsaturated fat provides health benefits that can help our bodies yield off diseases and illnesses. It helps to reduce cholesterol, cardiovascular related illnesses, strengthens eye health, and prevents oral, breast, and prostate cancer. So go ahead, enjoy your avocado! But think about sticking to one per day.

Avocado Goat Cheese Dip with Whole-Wheat Pita Chips

Ingredients
1 package whole-wheat pitas (cut into 6 triangles each)
3 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, & cut into chunks
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons lime juice
4 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces goat cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spread pita triangles on a sheet tray. Bake in the oven until crisp and slightly toasted. Chips will need to be rotated twice while baking.
3. In a bowl combine avocados, garlic, cumin and salt. Use an electric hand mixer to mix ingredients together.
4. Add lime juice, cream cheese and goat cheese pulsing until smooth and blended well. Add a bit more salt, if necessary.
5. Serve and Enjoy!

We hope you’re enjoying our blog and that we’ve entertained you with some information about avocados. How about leaving a comment and let us know how you enjoyed this recipe? Or maybe you have your own awesome avocado recipe that you’d like to share? If not, let us know if you have any insurance questions. At Mackoul & Associates, we’re always here to help.

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