Avocados are the fruit (yes they’re a fruit, not a vegetable) that you’ll see millennials trying to incorporate into their daily diet as much as possible. Nowadays, there’s so much more you can do with your avocado than just making it into a tasty guac to watch the Super Bowl.
Surely there have to be more reasons as to why so many people are eating them rather than them just being so on-trend and great content for Instagram.
Well, avocados are full of nutritional content and are even considered a superfood by some.
However, are avocados paleo?
The quick answer to your question? Yes, avocados are paleo.
Keep on reading to find out more.
Are Avocados Paleo?
Yes, avocado is paleo as it’s a fruit and is packed with healthy fats, fibers but lower in carbohydrates which also make them great for anyone who’s following a ketogenic diet.
What Nutrients Do Avocados Contain?
As we said above, avocados are primarily made up of fats, fibers, and even water. They’re low in sugar and contain high levels of vitamins. Below is a list of what vitamins avocados contain and what percentage of the recommended daily value they offer.
- Vitamin K: 36% of your recommended daily value
- Vitamin C: 20%
- Magnesium: 10%
- Vitamin B9: 30%
- Vitamin B5: 20%
- Vitamin B6: 20%
- Potassium: 20%
- Vitamin E: 13%
- Vitamin B3: 13%
- Copper: 12%
- Vitamin B2: 11%
However, whilst avocados are nutrient-rich they are also high in calories due to their high-fat percentage, which if you are following a strict calorie-controlled diet then you’ll need to portion how much avocado you’re eating correctly.
Half an avocado contains around 140 calories, however, because of the high-fat percentage, it’ll leave you feeling fuller for longer than you would if you were to eat an apple or berries.
Many people are scared to eat fats because they’re deemed as unhealthy, which in some cases they are, but when it comes to avocados they’re one of the superstars of healthy fats. You should try to replace your regular cooking oils with avocado oil because oils contain unhealthy fats which can cause problems with your health.
Health Benefits Of Eating Avocados
It’s all well and good knowing that avocados contain lots of healthy vitamins and nutrients, but not everyone’s a nutritionist, so what health benefits do eating avocados bring?
- Pregnancy Benefits – Avocados have naturally occurring folate which contains folic acid which can help prevent birth defects in the early weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women and women trying to get pregnant are advised to take synthetic folic acid so eating avocados will help you attain your daily recommended value of folic acid.
- Good For Your Brain – Avocados are considered to be one of the best brain foods out there to help reduce the risk of developing brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. Omega 3 and vitamin E are nutrients that are proven to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s, both of which are present in avos.
- Good Skin & Hair – As avocados are high in beneficial nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E which will help moisturize your skin and hair and also increase collagen metabolism (which helps you look younger).
- Reduces Inflammation – They have anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve inflammation and pain in joints, muscles, and tissues. People who have mild arthritis may benefit from incorporating avocados into their diet.
- Healthy Eyes – Avos contain carotenoids that can protect your eyes against eye diseases like cataracts that are related to aging.
- Good Digestion – As avocados have anti-inflammatory properties, they can soothe the intestine and keep everything running properly. The fiber in avocados also helps to maintain bowel function and.
What Recipes You Can Make With Avocados?
So now you know that avocados are paleo and that they’re packed with beneficial nutrients, you can now incorporate them into some recipes. The millennial classic avo on toast is out of the question because bread isn’t paleo, but don’t worry there are so many versatile recipes you can still make.
The Best Homemade Guacamole
Everyone knows how to make guac (or so you should) but this recipe is honestly one of the best ones you’ll come across and is ideal for dipping carrot sticks or celery in for a healthy snack. This recipe will make enough for a sharing size, so ideal for making for when you have guests round.
Ingredients
- 3 medium avocados
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- 1 large tomato deseeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon of minced jalapeno pepper (seeds removed)
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons of cilantro
- ½ teaspoon of cumin (optional)
Avocado Mayo
Due to avocados’ naturally thick and creamy consistency, they’re often used as a non-dairy alternative in recipes with the bonus of all the beneficial nutrients that they contain.
This avo mayo is paleo-friendly and also tastes amazing. It’s a great addition to some fresh crunchy salads and only takes a couple of minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1 large peeled and pitted avocado
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or coconut oil
- ¼ cup of water
- Salt & pepper to taste
Avocado Green Smoothie
If you need a quick snack or you’re someone who doesn’t like a heavy breakfast in the morning, then whipping up this avo smoothie will keep you feeling satisfied and also boost your nutrient intake for the day.
Ingredients
- ½ ripe avocado (the skin should feel slightly soft)
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup of water or non-dairy milk like coconut milk
- 1 handful of spinach or kale
- 1 cup of ice
Whiz it all up in a blender until it’s nice and smooth and drinks straight away. The banana will take away the green taste of the spinach or kale that you’ve used and the avo gives it a creamy consistency.