Why you need avocados in your life - even the stone!

Hmmmmmm, deliciously creamy, totally yummy avocados!  I love them!  But let's face it, avocados have been on the danger list for decades.  Apparently avocados are fattening.

Well I have some good news... this wonderful fruit (yes, it is a fruit!) is not fattening.  They are however powerhouses of goodness packed full of nutrients:

-  Protein = 3g for 1 cup
-  Carbohydrates = 12.8g for 1 cup (but good carbs that aren't refined)
-  Fat: monounsaturated heart healthy fat - just like olive oil
-  Dietary fiber: making you feel fuller for longer
-  Vitamins: Water soluble; B-complex and vitamin C
                    Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
-  16 minerals such as: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium and Zinc
-  Fatty Acids: Omega 3, Omega 6, Mono and Polyunsaturated fatty acids, low levels of saturated          fatty acids
-  18 individual amino acids, including the 9 that are essential for human health: Histidine, Isoleucine,    Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine

And that's just for starters!  So don't be afraid of avocados anymore.  You can eat the to your heart's content.

However, what you probably don't know either is that the stone (pit or seed) is even better for you than the flesh.

And here are a good few reasons as to why:

1. The seed or stone is packed full of soluble fibers beating most other foods on this planet in fiber content.
2. The avocado seed contains flavonol, a cancer fighting powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent or reduce tumor growth.
3. 70% of the antioxidants are found in the seed.  The antioxidants neutralize free radicals which are linked to obesity and many other diseases.  Avocado seeds contain polyphenols similar to those found in green tea.
4. The seeds aid digestive problems; avocado seeds are used for easing dysentery, diarrhea, and preventing and relieving constipation.
5. They are heart healthy!  Avocado seeds are high in dietary fiber that lowers cholesterol, in fact it actually binds cholesterol BEFORE it is absorbed in the blood.
6. They also help lower blood glucose and therefore help to maintain a healthy weight.
7. Avocado seeds help strengthen the immune system and keeping free radicals under control.
8. Anti-ageing properties.  Again it's antioxidants help slow the ageing process and the formation of wrinkles.  They also have the ability to rebuild collagen which keeps your skin young and firm.

So the big question is: how do you eat avocado seed?  Well you have to grind it up.  So you can either cut it up or smash it into chunks and then put it in a blender and grind to a powder.  You can add it to smoothies, sauces and dressings.  However, it has a fairly bitter taste so you may need to check for taste and add raw honey or stevia if necessary.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com