Avocado

The Avocado tree is native to America and it is cultivated in a warm climate. The fruit is a greenish drupe with thin skin and has a thick and very oily pulp, which is the edible part.

Avocado Nutritional Values

This is one of the superfoods containing good fats, fibers, vitamins, minerals and no cholesterol. Read below the nutritional content:

• Beta-sistosterol

• Campestrol

• Carbohydrates

• Estimasterol

• Fibers

• Gamma amino butyric acid

• Leucine

• Lipids up to 40%

• Lysine

• Minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and iron)

• Unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, linofenic, palimitic, stearic, capric, myristic)

• Valine

• Vitamins B1, B6, B12, C, E and K

Medicinal Uses

• Antitussive

• Antigripal

• Antidiarrheal

• Aphrodisiac

• Cholagogue

• Emollient

• Emmenagogue

• General healing

• Resolving

• Rubefacient

Avocado in Alkaline Diet

For people on alkaline diet, avocado is a valuable food since it is a highly alkaline forming food, rich in nutrients and fibers. There are countless recipes using it, which add variation to meals.

Useful Tip

Left unprotected, the avocado oxidizes very rapidly. The color changes from healthy green to brown. To reduce oxidation, sprinkle lemon juice on the exposed pulp and refrigerate in a plastic bag.

How to Eat Avocado

• Quick and Simple

This is the quickest way to eat the fruit. Just add lemon juice or your favorite seasoning on top of raw avocado pulp. You can experiment with paprika or balsamic vinegar if you like spicy foods.

• Toast

Spread avocado on toast. Add a slice of tomato on top and seasoning. If you like garlic, it is a delicious addition.

• Guacamole

Diced or mashed avocado with chips is a great snack. Easy to make, tasty and extremely healthy if you choose your chips carefully.

• Avocado Salad

This is one of my favorites. Combine a mashed avocado fruit with onion, garlic, tomato, raw nuts, parsley, extra virgin olive oil and a little bit of cucumber. Add salt, pepper and squeeze half of a lemon for a quick and tasty dish.

These are just a few ideas. Avocado is a great food, extremely beneficial to your body so eat it as often as you can. If you have  other tasty recipes to share, leave us a comment.

• Avocado on Wikipedia (opens externally)

• Avocado Nutrition Facts (opens externally)

• 8 Avocado Recipes Besides Guacamole (opens externally)

• Recipes with Avocado For Your Kids (opens externally)

• Avocado Recipes Collection (opens externally)

The easiest way to tell if an avocado is ready to eat.