How Many Calories in an Avocado?

Was eating healthy part of your New Year's resolution? If so, try adding some avocados to your diet plan. There are 227 calories in an avocado (medium size/136 grams), which is slightly higher than other fruits but in this case it is merely a number. The good thing with avocados having a bit more calories than other fruit is that your body digests them slower therefore you feel full longer. If you overlook the number of calories in an avocado you will see that the health benefits out- weight loss in one month the increased amount of calories.
Avocados are commonly mistaken for vegetables, but are in fact a fruit. There are many different types of avocados. The primary ones are West Indian, Guatemalan and Mexican.
West Indian - These large (up to five pounds) fruits are light green with smooth skin, large seeds and are lower in fat than other avocados.
Guatemalan - This large (up to five pounds) fruit type has a dark, thick, rough skin with small seeds and a medium fat content.
Mexican - This particular fruit is small, weighing one pound or less, dark green in color with smooth skin and large seeds with a high fat content.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Facts
The avocado has multiple health benefits. It has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, vitamin A and E, B complex vitamins, potassium and protein. Studies show that avocados are helpful in fighting oral cancer cells. The fat in avocado has been shown also to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. Another interesting fact about avocados is they are rich in carotenoids, which help improve eye health against macular degeneration and cataracts. Carotenoids also increase weight loss. Avocados are also high in oleic acid, which shows in numerous studies that this helps prevent breast cancer.
How to Store Avocados
You should store ripe, avocados out of the bag in the crisper of your refrigerator. It is recommended that you should eat avocados within two to three days; sometimes they last up to a week. In order to store cut avocados, put them in an airtight container and sprinkle lemon juice, lime juice or white vinegar over them. Cut avocados should be used within two days. Unripe avocados can be stored in a basket out of direct sunlight at room temperature. They should be ripe in three to five days. Pureed avocados can be stored frozen for up to five months.
Healthy Avocado Lunch Recipe
Tomato and Avocado Sandwich
Ingredients:
2 slices of whole wheat bread
2 tablespoons of hummus
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
Salt and pepper
Directions:
You can have your bread toasted or untoasted. Spread each slice with 1 tablespoon of hummus. Place your slices of avocado and tomato on the slices. You can add salt and pepper for taste. You can add a beautiful Avocado & Orange Salad for a side.
Avocado & Orange Salad
Ingredients:
8 cups salad greens
1 cup of orange slices
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup sliced, sweet onions
1/2 cup Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
Directions:
Mix your salad, oranges, avocados and onion in a salad bowl. Top with Vinaigrette.
I am a professional nutritional coach, that enjoys writing about important tips and subjects related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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