Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Day 8 of 12 Days of Healthy Foods: The Avocado

The NFL playoffs are under way which means the Super Bowl is on the horizon. Did you know avocado sales go through the roof as football fans get ready to watch the big game? Yes, guacamole made with fresh avocados is the favorite game-time snack at hundreds of Super Bowl parties. (Pssst...Don't tell the junk food junkies this is actually a healthy snack...)
Avocados contain a variety of vitamins and minerals and are a good source of monounsaturated fat, the "good" kind of fat. Monounsaturated fats have been found to lower cholesterol and contribute to good heart health. Avocados also contain potassium, and the United States Food and Drug Administration states, "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke." Avocados are high in oleic acid which, in some research, has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. In addition, avocados contain more carotenoid lutein than any other common fruit, and lutein has been found to be an important element in preventing macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye diseases.
At Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market, we generally stock the traditional avocado grown in California, Mexico, and Chile (among other places). We also often carry Florida avocados. The Florida avocados are much bigger and shinier than the traditional, and they have less fat and fewer calories. The traditional avocado may seem creamier; the Florida avocado may be easier to slice. We suggest you try both to determine your favorite for your particular need.
Besides guacamole, avocados are great in salads, on sandwiches, and as an ingredient in salad dressings. If you've steered away from avocados because you weren't quite sure how to peel or cut them, take a look at this easy method. In several quick steps, you'll be ready to serve up a super healthy fruit.
Stop by Daisy Mae's today (1/12/11) and pick up a free avocado with your $15 purchase.

1 comment:

  1. Hello,

    Avocados are also rich in beta-sitosterol, which was shown to reduce cholesterol in human studies. Avocado has been found to have three times the amount of glutathione than in any other fruit. Thank you...

    ReplyDelete