Power Food of the Week: Avocado!

As a fun, new VeggieRun initiative, I have decided to incorporate a weekly installment highlighting and profiling a different "power food" - get excited!

Power Food's debut comestible is none other than the yummy, green avocado - a personal favorite of mine. I can't get enough guacamole, and I won't visit Boston-area Mexican restaurant, Zócalo without a taste of their unique, homemade guac.



Did you know the avocado is actually a fruit? And you thought it was a veggie ...

Yes, I know what you're about to say; avocados have gotten quite a bad rap as a fatty food we must beware. Surprisingly though, there is such a thing as good fat and bad fat; avocados boast the former, not the latter. Check out some more fun facts about avocado's benefits:

• Most are monounsaturated. This lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol and raises "good" HDL levels.
• A typical serving (half an avocado) contains only 160 calories and provides the equivalent of fiber found in one slice of whole wheat toast.
• Avocados have more potassium than bananas, which may help lower blood pressure.
• In comparison to many fruits, avocados have higher concentrations of many B vitamins, in addition to beta-carotene, magnesium, and vitamins E and K, nutrients that aid overall health and support energy, metabolic functioning and strong bones.

If you're a vegetarian, check out this yummy avocado smoothie. And for all you meat-eaters out there, how about adding an avocado slice or two to your next hamburger?

Eat some good-fat-for-you avocados this week, and be sure to
tune in next week for the second Power Food installment!

More Avocado Nutrition Information: Avocado, A Versatile Fruit
More Avocado Recipe Ideas: Avocado.org
Note: Sources for avocado information include Martha Stewart and AARP.