Contrary to popular belief avocados are not fattening. In
fact, if you want to feel great and avoid the bulge during
the summer months, then avocados are one of the most nutritious
fruits you can choose as part of a balanced diet. |
The Slimming Avocado
You've probably never thought of the avocado as a 'slimming' food
- indeed you may have been told to avoid it. However, the truth
is that this amazing pear (it is technically a fruit rather than
a vegetable) is low in calories and contains all kinds of nutrients
which are essential for good health, and can boost your energy levels.
Half an average,
medium-sized avocado
contains 161 calories
- that's less than
a small piece of
Cheddar cheese or
a couple of digestive
biscuits. Certainly
avocados contain
oils, but they are
the mono-unsaturated
kind which do not
raise cholesterol
in the blood and
may even help protect
against heart disease.
They are bursting
with Vitamin E,
which helps keep
your skin soft and
flexible, and is
an antioxidant which
means that it "mops
up" free radicals
which may otherwise
damage skin cells.
They also contain
valuable 'B' vitamins,
especially, B6,
which can help the
nervous system, and
PMS sufferers.
Legend has it that, in the Garden of Eden, Eve tempted Adam with
an avocado, NOT an apple, and the aphrodisiac effects of avocados
have been well documented. Their saucy reputation could be partly
due to the fact that they contain phosphorus, which plays an important
part in growth and reproduction.
There is no doubt that avocados are fun to eat - whether the flesh
is firm or soft - and they blend well with other 'libido-enhancing'
foods like figs, asparagus, smoked salmon, prawns, olives, and passion
fruit! You will find that the serving suggestions and recipes in
the diet are extremely tasty, and rather unusual, too.
Buy fresh produce,
such as your fruit,
vegetables and Summer
Avocados in two
or even three batches
to ensure good quality.
If you are buying Summer Avocados loose, it is easy to test for
ripeness: they should yield to gentle pressure at the stalk end
but should not feel squashy when cupped in your hand. Also, the
skin should not be bruised or broken.
Ripe Summer Avocados will keep for a few days: store them in the
fridge to prevent over ripening.
To accelerate the ripening process, either place avocados in the
fruit bowl with other fruit or, better still, pop them into a paper
bag with a potato or an apple.
If you wish to buy Summer Avocados for eating immediately, look
for 'Ripe and Ready' to eat packs in the supermarket. This year
over a third of all Summer Avocados will be sold this way.
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