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Rolfe Foxwell Asks in Category Nutrition 101: |
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I live where avocados are fresh and cheap ..I understand they have the "good" non saturated fat but do they also have very high cloresterol...???? |
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"Avocados are so fattening!" Anything in excess is always a bad thing, and any food eaten in moderation with consideration of its nutritional contribution is always a good thing. When planned as part of a good meal plan, avocados can offer many healthy benefits. |
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A medium California avocado contains 306 calories: 12 grams of carbohydrate, 3.6 grams of protein, 30 grams of fat (88% of the calories come from fat). It has 0 cholesterol, 3.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat and 4.5 grams of saturated fat. |
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A medium Florida avocado contains 339 calories: 27 grams of carbohydrate, 4.8 grams of protein, 27 grams of fat (72% of the calories come from fat). It has 0 cholesterol, 4.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat and 5.3 grams of saturated fat. |
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There is no way of knowing which avocado is a low fat one and which is a high fat one. However, you probably will be able to detect a definite taste difference (the high fat one will be particularly nice). Some suggestions for including avocado in a healthy eating plan are: |
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Eat a quarter or less of an avocado as a portion. If you are having it as a dip or a larger portion in one sitting, then include avocado only once a week in your eating plan. Use avocado as a spread instead of butter on bread or crackers. |
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Avocados are not only delicious, but they are also nutrition powerhouses. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which promote healthy teeth and gums, and protect the body from oxidative damage. Avocados are also rich in folic acid, which promotes healthy development. They are also a good source for VITAMIN B-3 (Niacin), which plays a crucial role in the body's synthesis of sex hormones, as well as maintaining proper blood-sugar levels and encouraging normal brain and nervous system functioning. Used in the treatment of high cholesterol and in reducing high blood pressure, B-3 also plays a role in metabolizing fats, proteins and carbohydrates. A lack of B-3 in your diet can cause depression, irritability, insomnia, lack of appetite, indigestion, canker sores, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders and even bad breath. Avocados are also a good source of potassium, necessary to cellular level function of the heart and other muscles |
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Because avocado fruits have a variable fat content and they are often excluded from programs focused on weight loss. |
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