For those unfamiliar with avocado, it can be challenging to understand how exactly to incorporate this healthy fruit into the diet. Does it need to be cooked? What are the best ways to prepare it?
The avocado has been gaining in popularity in recent years largely because of the publicity it has received from being included on the list of super foods. These foods are hailed as being the superstars of a healthy diet because of their vast array of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
Fortunately, adding avocado to your diet plan couldn’t be easier. Most people eat avocado raw, without any cooking or preparation. The taste of a ripe Haas avocado is wonderfully lush, with a nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
I prefer to eat my avocado with only a dash of sea salt, which brings out the flavor. If you find that you enjoy the taste of fresh avocado, as most people do, eating it raw and without preparation will probably be your favorite way to eat it, as well.
If you find the taste of avocado less agreeable, it will be a bit more difficult to get it into your meal plan, but there are a few tips I can give. First, you can spice up avocado by using it as the main ingredient in a guacamole dip. The extra ingredients such as lime, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, etc. will help to diffuse the taste of the avocado.
You can also partially hide the avocado in a sandwich or dish. A sliver of avocado goes perfect on almost any type of sandwich or burger, and can almost go unnoticed. In addition, avocado can be mixed into many dishes and casseroles to enhance the flavor and increase the health benefits.
No matter how you choose to include avocado in your diet, you will likely reap health benefits by doing so. The effect it has on lowering LDL cholesterol is well-documented. Avocado tastes lovely raw and all by itself, but don’t be afraid to get creative if you need to in order to help your family to eat it.
Image credit: Bacon, Fried Egg, Avocado Cheeseburger by David Lifson
For the Avocado Aficionado
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