Avocado is one of the world’s most perfect foods,
it’s incredibly delicious and so versatile!
What we refer to as “avocado” is the fruit of the avocado tree, called Persea americana, native to South Central Mexico. Not only are avocados healthy, due to its high nutritional value, they’re also incredibly delicious and go with all sorts of foods. We, at café evergreen love to add avocado to all sorts of our receipts, due to its good flavor and rich texture, for example: grilled avocado, raw avocado sliders, smashed avocado salmon sandwich, avocado wrap, avocado salad and avocado vinaigrette. Avocado can be used to make dips, dressings, sauces, smoothies, soups and desserts, and is wonderful added to salads, sandwiches, stuffed with other veggies and fruits, or added as a topping to almost anything!
8 Proven Health Benefits of Avocado
- Avocados are incredibly nutritious and contain over 25 essential nutrients including iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium. Potassium is an important mineral that supports healthy blood pressure levels.
- Avocados increase the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients, so they are a wonderful addition to green leafy salads to ensure proper absorption of all the vitamins and minerals.
- Avocados and avocado oil are high in monounsaturated oleic acid, a “heart healthy” fatty acid. Monounsaturated fats in avocados reverse insulin resistance, which helps to steady blood sugar levels.
- Eating Avocados Can Lower Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels. Numerous studies have shown that eating avocado can improve heart disease risk factors like LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as blood triglycerides.
- Avocados are easily digested and are high in fiber, about 7% fiber by weight, which is very high compared to most other foods. High in fiber and very low in carbs, two attributes that have various important benefits for weight loss and metabolic health.
- Avocados are high in antioxidants, including Lutein and Zeaxanthin. These nutrients are very important for eye health and lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
- They are an excellent source of glutathione, which helps to boost the immune system, strengthen the heart, rebuild the nervous system, and slow the aging process.
- Avocados are high in folate, which is is known to aid in preventing strokes and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Try adding a couple avocados to your diet each week and enjoy the benefits of this delicious and health promoting food.
Today I have a wonderful, creamy dressing recipe to share with you that is perfect on any salad, or used as a light dip for vegetable finger food.
Avocado Cilantro Dressing
Ingredients:
1 large avocado
2 cups zucchini, peeled and diced
2 medjool dates, pits removed
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1/2 lemon, juiced
· optional sea salt and pepper
Directions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth, adding 1/2 cup of water as needed to desired consistency. Enjoy over salad greens or as a dip with raw vegetables such as cucumber, cauliflower, or bell pepper. Serves 1-2
Enjoy!
Annette