Avocado is known as Mother Nature’s butter. Yes, Avocado contains 70% of its calories in fat and No, avocado is not fattening. If you are surprised by this statement, it’s because of a misconception people have about fat consumption and weight gain.
Dietary “Fat” does not make you fat. It’s just a myth like most other dietary myths. Over-consumption of refined sugars, wheat flour, rice and other processed carbohydrates are more likely to make you fat than the consumption of raw butter, nuts and avocados, foods who’s name has been tarnished by the so-called health experts.
In fact a human body requires its healthy share of dietary fat in order to function properly. Saturated fats, monounsaturated fats and natural polyunsaturated fats are essential for the harmonious operation of a human body. A diet deficient in these fats is likely to cause several problems including heart diseases and cancer. Avocados are not fattening but are a rich source of monounsaturated fats and fruit protein.
Eat avocados instead of processed fats
The increased consumption of hydrogenated vegetable oils has caused an increase in heart diseases among the general populace. Traditionally, our ancestors consumed raw butter, coconut and palm oil and fruits like avocados to obtain their dietary fat. Today, out diet has become rich in refined sugars and flour and deficient in natural “fat” leading to many health problems including obesity.
In today’s generation, people are scared of the “fat” content present in avocados, raw nuts, coconut oil and raw butter and shun these foods. The “carbohydrate” rich diet that most people are taking to, laced with refined sugars, wheat, rice and beans has caused more health complications than the traditional diet which had a rich inclusion of “fat”.
It’s important to understand that the only fats that are harmful are the “processed” fats. All the hydrogenated vegetable oils contain such processed fats or hydrogenated fats that are harmful for the human body. To avoid natural oils, fats and “fat” rich fruits like avocados, for the fear of becoming fat, is completely misplaced.
Avocados help in weight loss, instead of the contrary
For people who are riding the myth that avocados are fattening, it will be an eye opener to know that research has indicated that these fruits actually help in weight loss. Here are few reasons why avocados aid in losing weight.
- Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats which are very healthy and promote the reduction in the cholesterol levels and LDL (the bad cholesterol).
- Natural fats do not induce weight gain the way “unnatural” fats do. Avocados are rich in necessary natural fats.
- It’s impossible to over-eat Avocados because of their “satiating” tendency. Very few people can eat more than two helpings of avocado because of its richness. It’s so much easier to eat a lot white bread and gain weight than to gain weight on Avocados.
- It’s has been studied that Avocados contain enough calories in fat to help nourish the body but not induce any excess weight gain.
- Monounsaturated fats present in Avocados aid in better absorption of other vegetarian foods and thus help in good metabolism.
- You are unlikely to binge on “processed” foods when you eat a salad of avocado prior a meal.
- The fats present in Avocado are “nutrient” rich, packed with essential minerals and vitamins which help in better absorption and regulation in the body. On the contrary “processed” fats contain only “fat” without the nutrients.
Instead of using processed butters, mayos and spreads on your sandwiches, it’s a much healthier option to lace the breads with chunks of mashed avocado. You will not notice a big difference in taste; in fact it’s tastier than most “processed” spreads.
If you have a low HDL count in your blood, you will be advised to eat more avocados (at least one serving per day) to regulate the HDL density. HDL is the “good” cholesterol that the body needs for a healthy circulatory system.
A “low-fat” diet should be complemented with healthy intake of avocados in salads and sandwiches to ensure regulation of the “good” cholesterol. Many people who stick to a “low-fat” diet have been known to suffer from several bodily disorders as opposed to the people who take fats in the form of raw butters, nuts, coconut and palm oils and avocados. A “low-fat” diet can reduce the efficiency of the liver as well as decrease the “good” cholesterol count in your blood.
In conclusion, it’s important dispel myths regarding dietary “fat”. It’s highly essential to include a good portion of “fat” rich foods like avocados, coconut oil and raw butter in your daily diet to have a balanced supply of nutrition. Stop worrying about something as natural and “nature” prepared as Avocados. Simply put, Avocados are not fattening even if they are rich in “fat”, just be clear on this account and enjoy this delicious fruit.