Dr. Lara May

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Ahhh, Avocado!  How Do I Love Thee?  Let Me Count the Ways!

Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash

1.     I love that your decadence tastes delicious, yet it’s the “healthiest” of fats.

2.     I love that you make my skin beautiful.

The antioxidants in avocados help to get rid of toxins that promote premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. A lot of the toxins on your facial skin are in the residue of makeup. Applying a mashed avocado as a facial mask and leaving it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing will help to remove these toxins and soften the skin. I promise, in the end, you will not look like the Wicked Witch of the West.

3.     I love to use you as a spread on my gluten-free keto-bread toast with a sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt, and red pepper flakes.

4.     I love that you make my hair shiny.  

Photo by STIL on Unsplash

One avocado mashed and mixed together with an egg and your favorite essential oil (lavender) is great for conditioning your hair. The healthy oils in the avocado help to moisturize and soften dry brittle hair, and the vitamin E helps to restore a natural shine. To obtain these benefits simply massage the avocado and egg mixture into your hair and scalp and leave in for about 20 minutes. Wash and condition with your favorite shampoo and conditioner after.

5.     I love to use you in my salads.

6.     I love to use you on my sandwiches or wraps in place of mayonnaise.

7.     I love that you are complete.  

Avocados provide all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike the protein in steak, which is difficult for most people to digest, avocado protein is readily absorbed by the body, because avocados also contain fiber. If you are trying to cut down on animal sources of protein in your diet, or if you are a vegetarian or vegan seeking more protein, avocados are a great to include not merely as an occasional treat, but as a regular part of your diet. They have the highest protein content of any fruit (yes, it’s a fruit).

8.     I love to use you in my smoothies to add some creamy richness.

9.     I love to scramble you in my eggs and in my omelets.

10.   I love that you help me with my ABCs.  

While avocados have a high caloric count (one avocado is 320 calories), the various nutrients and “healthy” fats make it a must-eat. They are an alphabet of vitamins. One avocado provides your body with vitamins A, C, E, K and B6, along with an enormous amount of potassium. Perhaps the biggest health benefit of avocados is that by adding avocado to certain foods, you can improve your absorption of fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, E, D, & K). This means that when you combine other fat burning foods with avocado, you can improve your nutrient absorption up to 400%!

I challenge you this week to have a love affair with avocados. It's probably the safest relationship you will ever enter into.

 

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