Alice,
What about avocados? I know they don't contain any cholesterol, but they are high in fat so I have avoided them. Now, however, I am reading that the kind of fat they do contain may be useful in lowering cholesterol. Do you have any further information on this?
— Guacamole
Dear Guacamole,
Avocados are high in fat, but contain no cholesterol (no plant foods do!). Along with olives, they are the only high-fat fruits. Between 70-90% of the calories in avocados are from fat. California and Florida are the main avocado producers in this country. The varieties that are grown in California are higher in fat than those that are grown in Florida. Of the California varieties, the Haas is the highest in fat. It has a thick, pebbled skin that changes from green to purplish black as the fruit ripens. Other California varieties include Fuerte, Bacon and Zotano. These have thinner, smoother skins than the Haas. Florida varieties have less fat and calories, are less rich and creamy, and more perishable. The main Florida varieties are Booth, Lula, and Waldin.
All avocados contain "monounsaturated" fat, the same kind of fat as olives. This type of fat may help lower cholesterol. Also avocados are high in beta carotene, fiber, folate (a B vitamin), fiber, and potassium (ounce for ounce avocados have 60% more potassium than bananas).
To put the fat in perspective, per ounce avocados have less fat than lean beef, and a whole Haas avocado (the highest fat variety) has less fat than 3 tablespoons of Italian salad dressing. So, go right ahead and put some guacamole on your burrito!
- Alice
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Avocados healthy?
