Nutritional value of avocados
Many people enjoy avocados for their delectable and adaptable taste. Because they are not the typical sweet fruit, avocado is a fruit versatile enough to be used in various recipes. However, the nutritional value of avocados is what makes this fruit so popular.
Did You Know?
Avocados are virtually the only fruit with “good” monosaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. Plus, avocados are naturally sugar-, sodium-, and cholesterol-free.
Healthy avocados contribute 5 g of monounsaturated fat and 1 g of polyunsaturated fat per 50 g serving (one-third of a medium avocado). Over 75% of the fat in an avocado is unsaturated, making it an excellent substitute for foods high in saturated fats, such as butter and mayonnaise. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, replacing saturated fats or trans fats with unsaturated fats can reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Avocados are a great cholesterol- and sodium-free alternative to processed foods. Healthy avocados are a good source of essential nutrients, such as fiber, folate, Vitamin K, pantothenic acid, and copper. Because they contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients while also serving as a source of good fats (6 g per 50 g serving), the avocado fruit is a satisfying and healthful addition to a balanced diet.
FAQs
Avocados (Persea americana) are a fruit and not a vegetable. They are thought to have originated in Mexico and Central and South America. Avocado trees were first planted in Florida in 1833 and then in California in 1856.
Is avocado a fruit in Mexico? ›
The avocado fruit grows on the Persea Americana – also known as the avocado tree. This flowering tree is native to South Central Mexico and is a member of the plant family named Lauraceae. The tree now grows successfully in tropical climates across the globe.
Is avocado considered a fruit or a vegetable? ›
Avocado is a fruit!
While avocados are often prepared with salt and spice and consumed like, and alongside, vegetables, avocados are biologically fruits since they contain seeds and develop from the ovary of a flowering plant.
Are the avocados from Mexico actually from Mexico? ›
Avocado is native to Central Mexico where its ancient history, established by archaeological evidence from Claude Earle Smith Jr., who discovered avocado cotyledon remains within deposits of the Coxcatlán Cave, in Tehuacán, in Puebla state, that date back to about 10,000 years ago.
Does an avocado count as a vegetable serving? ›
While botanically a fruit, MyPlate includes avocados as a member of the Vegetable Group based on how they are typically eaten and how their taste is described. MyPlate recommends adults consume 2-4 cups of vegetables per day and 3 1/2 – 7 cups of “other vegetables”, like avocados, a week. One avocado counts as one cup.
Are avocados from Mexico healthy? ›
The Good Fat Facts
More than 75% of the fats in avocados are the "good" kind, primarily monounsaturated fats – the type found in olive oil. In fact, Avocados From Mexico are certified as a heart healthy food by the American Heart Association.
What is the national fruit of Mexico? ›
Avocado. The national fruit of Mexico is actually a berry, yet it is rarely found in a fruit salad. At their ripest, avocados are creamy and filling, acting as an excellent cheese substitute for vegans. Enjoy them guacamole-style with chips, sliced on huevos rancheros, or alone with salt.
Why can't you cross avocados from Mexico? ›
In fact, avocado imports from Mexico have been allowed only since 1997; before that, beginning in 1914, they were banned in order to guard against a variety of potentially crop-damaging pests.
Is guacamole just an avocado? ›
Guacamole's main ingredient is avocado, a creamy green fruit full of heart-healthy, easy-to-digest monounsaturated fats. It's typically mixed with salt and lime juice. Some recipes also call for onion, cilantro, tomato, garlic and spices like cayenne pepper or cumin.
Which country has the best avocado? ›
Mexico. Mexico leads the way globally in both the production and export of avocados, with more than 2.5 million metric tons produced per year which represents around 30% of world production. Today, Mexican avocados are consumed in 51 countries, with the U.S.
One portion is 80g or any of the following: one banana, orange, pear or apple or a similar sized fruit. half a grapefruit or avocado. a slice of large fruit such as melon or pineapple.
How much avocado should you eat in a day? ›
How much to eat: One avocado a day can help improve bad cholesterol levels in overweight and obese people, a study published in 2015 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found. Make avocados part of your daily healthy eating plan, but consider downsizing your servings to: half of a whole fruit, 120 calories.
Is avocado a traditional Mexican food? ›
Guacamole is by far the most popular Mexican avocado recipe, but it's not the only way Mexicans use avocados. They're an important staple of the Mexican diet going back to ancient times.
Why is Mexico not giving us avocados? ›
On Monday, June 17th, the U.S. government suspended all avocado fruit and mango imports from Michoacán, Mexico. According to the USDA, the suspension came in response to a security incident made against one of USDA's health inspectors in Mexico and will last for “as long as necessary.”
Why do avocados only grow in Mexico? ›
There are few places where avocados grow year-round, and one place is Mexico. To be more precise, that place is the Mexican state of Michoacán, where rich volcanic soil, abundant sunshine, and timely rainfall provide an ideal setting for the growth of creamy, tasty avocados.
Where is avocado originally from? ›
Avocados (Persea americana) are a fruit and not a vegetable. They are thought to have originated in Mexico and Central and South America.
