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8 Healthy Facts About Avocados

Interesting tidbits about the history, cultivation, and uses of avocado – plus our recipe for an amazing beet salad with, yes, avocados.

By Chloe Thompson
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

Avocado Spread

European sailors en route to the New World used avocados in place of butter.

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Avocado Varieties

There are more than 80 varieties of avocados. The most common is the year-round Hass avocado, whose original mother tree still stands in California.

Alligator Pear

The avocado is also known as an alligator pear, because of its shape, green skin, and rough texture of the Haas variety. (The Florida avocado has a shiny, smooth surface.)

Avocado Production

The two main U.S. producers of the fruit are California and Florida. The Golden State far outranks the Sunshine State, however, with more than 6,000 groves accounting for about 90% of avocado crops.

Avocado Nutrition

Avocados are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C,K, folate, and B6. Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat. One globe contains more than one-third daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K.

Avocado in Salads

Consider adding avocado or avocado oil to your salads. Recent research shows that antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene are better absorbed with the healthy monounsaturated fat avocados have in abundance.

Super Bowl Guacamole

What would guacamole be without avocados? On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans eat about 8 million pounds of guacamole. For Cinco de Mayo, the tally is closer to 14 million.

Avoiding Browning in Avocados

To reduce oxidation (browning) of an already-sliced avocado, sprinkle lemon juice on the exposed flesh and then refrigerate in a plastic bag.

Avocado Beet Salad with Vidalia Onion, Blood Orange and Orange Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

3 beets, red and/or golden

2 ripe avocados

1 large blood orange, peeled, sliced into rounds

1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

6 cups mixed baby greens (or any greens)

1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons sherry or white balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup orange juice

2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400.
Remove root and leave one-inch stem on beets; scrub; wrap each one in foil. Place beets on baking pan. Roast for 45 minutes to an hour or until tender. When cool enough to handle, rub off skins and slice into wedges.
Prepare vinaigrette by combining olive oil, vinegar, orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange rind, salt and pepper in a small bowl; whisk to combine.
Cut avocado in half, remove pit; scoop avocado from skin with large spoon; slice each half into 6 slices.
Divide salad greens among 6 plates; top each with beets, oranges, onion, and avocado
Drizzle vinaigrette over salad
Garnish with remaining orange zest and toasted walnuts

Makes six servings

Nutritional information per serving: 238 calories; 153 calories from fat; 18 g fat; 2 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 252 mg sodium; 19 g; carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 9 g sugars; 4 g protein.

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