5 Healthy Ways to Eat Avocados

The popular and trendy avocado has become a modern-day health food craze for many. The appetite for this creamy versatile fruit has won the hearts of millions for its powerful health benefits. The fruit contains a bit of potassium, dietary fiber and healthy fats that helps decrease the risk of diabetes, obesity and heart disease while promoting healthy skin, hair and eyes. 

Here are 5 interesting ways to incorporate avocados to your diet.

1. You can now say yes to fries

Fries don’t have to be your enemy. Here’s a secret. Avocado. Make yourself a healthy treat that’s crunchy on the outside yet creamy on the inside. Just peel and pit a couple of large avocados and cut into slices. Roll each slice in flour then dip in egg and coat with panko breadcrumbs. Bake the slices in 400 Degrees F. for 15 minutes or until it is golden brown and serve it with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• Two large Avocados, sliced
• 2 tbs oil or cooking spray
• ½ cup all-purpose flour 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs

2. Make it into a dressing

Drizzle the easy to make and deliciously creamy avocado dressing on any salads or macro bowls. Cut up a large avocado and mince cloves of garlic. Throw them into a food processor, squeeze in a large lemon along with olive oil, water, lemon zest, onion powder, salt, pepper, honey, and Dijon mustard. Then, blend until smooth and creamy. Pour your new healthy dressing over any lettuce or bowls you’d like! 

Ingredients

• One ripe avocado
• 1 tbs of olive oil or avocado oil
• ½ cup of water
• 1 tbs of lemon zest
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp of onion powder 
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp honey 
• 1 tsp of Dijon or yellow mustard
• Juice 1 large lemon 

3. Turn it into a delicious smoothie

This delicious creamy smoothie is packed with vitamins and nutrition that will help you jumpstart your morning the right way. There are endless combinations–you can be creative with this one! If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, honey, bananas, berries, or apples are great natural sweeteners and if you prefer a greener smoothie, kale is always the go-to veggie. Just cut up a large avocado and combine all the ingredients into a blender and voila! 

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• A touch of honey 

4. Great for butter and mayo substitute 

Avocados are great on everything and anything. It’s a perfect substitute for mayonnaise or even butter. Instead of using highly processed mayonnaise on your sandwich or bagel, you can use avocados for the same creamy mayonnaise texture without all the unhealthy fats and calories.  Just add avocado and a generous amount of salt and pepper into a blender until smooth. 

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado, pitted and peeled
• Salt and pepper, to taste  

5.  Last but not least, the infamous avocado toast

Life is filled with simple pleasures and avocado toast is one of them! Popular for its healthy and satisfying breakfast choice, it has never been easier to make. All you have to do is toast a couple your favorite whole-grain sliced bread and top it off with avocado slices or mashed up avocado and sprinkle of sea salt and chili flakes or Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning.

Ingredients

• 1 avocado, sliced or smashed
• sea salt, to taste 
• chili flakes 

Article submitted by Thuy Tran.