Avocado for Weight Loss
Eating avocados to lose belly fat sounds like an oxymoron.
After all, dieters have been told to avoid this high-fat fruit for years. The
avocado, however, is high in the good monounsaturated fats. Unlike saturated
and trans fats, monounsaturated fats are not inflammatory, so they actually
help to flatten belly fat.
Belly Fat
Belly fat, also known as omentum fat, is much more harmful
than the subcutaneous fat on your hips and thighs. That's why the medical
professionals at Mayo Clinic and Real Age say you are better off with a pear or
avocado body shape than with an apple body shape. The dangerous omentum fat in
the stereotypical "beer belly" is feeding fat directly to your organs
and arteries, raising bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Too much belly fat
increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Dice and Slice
Guacamole is the most popular way to dip into an avocado,
but the salty chips and sour cream that go with it add more fat to your belly.
Try making avocado salad by dicing or slicing ripe avocados into your favorite
bowl of greens. Avocados are versatile. They taste good tossed in with
virtually every food you can think of--salmon, shrimp, chicken, crab, pasta,
papayas, bacon, black beans, mangoes and more. Served warm or cold, with tangy
citrus or zesty lime dressings, avocados add rich, creamy flavor and
fat-busting flavonoids to any meal.
Benefits of Avocado Salad
Healthy monounsaturated fats are not the only thing avocados
have going for them. An ounce of avocado gives you 60 percent more potassium
than bananas. These fiber-filled fruits are also loaded with Vitamin B6,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, magnesium and folate. They are cholesterol and sodium free,
too.
Calories vs. Cravings
If you are counting calories and concerned that an avocado
salad sounds too rich for your diet, consider these facts. While the average
avocado has about 200 calories per 125 grams, its high content of
monounsaturated fats is known to curb cravings for foods that contain the
unhealthy saturated fats. So avocados are actually a satisfying substitute for
those high-fat, high-calorie foods you might be tempted to throw into your
salad instead.
Perfect Avocado
According to the Avocado Grower's Association, the
California Hass Avocado lets you know when it's ripe. Look for an oval-shaped
fruit with pebbly skin that has turned from green to nearly black. It should
feel heavy and slightly soft to the touch.
