There are so many ways to eat an avocado–blended, mashed, chopped or simply sliced, this creamy green fruit is a must-have in my meal plan. More than just healthy fats, avocados have a variety of essential nutrients that support your body.
Some foods can make a huge difference even when added in small doses to your diet, and avocados are one of them. Avocados are a food you can enjoy without guilt; they not only nourish your cells with nutrients, but also help them assimilate carotenoid antioxidants to reduce damage from free radicals.
Why Your Body Loves Avocado
Why is avocado so good for you? Well, to start with, it contains…
- Potassium: essential for regulating the sodium balance within the cells and for maintaining alkalinity
- Vitamin K and vitamin E: involved in your body’s natural detoxification processes
- Magnesium: essential for staying energized and in a good mood
- Fiber: maintains the health of the digestive system
- Monounsaturated fats: regulates hormone production and cell regeneration
The healthy monounsaturated fats, oleic acid and unique phytosterols in avocado make it a great food for supporting cardiovascular health. The avocado fat combined with its antioxidant nutrients reduces inflammation, increases protection against oxidative stress, and helps regulate your blood pressure.
7 Simple Ways to Eat an Avocado
The neutral taste of avocado makes it easy to combine with any of your favorite flavors, be it in a dessert, a salad or even a chilled soup. Here are some of our favorite ways to use avocados:
1. Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
Prep
Total
Yield 2
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cucumber, cut into chunks
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tsp. tahini
- 1/2 c. purified water
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients until creamy.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then serve garnished with mint leaves.
Courses Soup
Cuisine Raw
2. Vegan Chocolate and Avocado Ice Cream
Creamy Chocolate and Avocado Ice Cream {Vegan}
Prep
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 oz. vegan chocolate, melted
- 1/2 c. full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated
- 1 tbsp. almond butter
- 2 bananas cut into small chunks, frozen
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the frozen bananas and coconut milk and pulse until creamy.
- Add the melted chocolate, almond butter and avocado, and pulse to incorporate.
- Transfer the mixture to a lidded casserole dish and freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.
Courses Dessert
Cuisine Vegan
3. Light Green Goddess Dressing
Light Green Goddess Dressing
Prep
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 c. nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. purified water
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients until creamy. If necessary, add more water until the dressing reaches the desired consistency.
- Store the dressing in a lidded jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Courses Sauces
Cuisine Raw
4. Detox Smoothie with Avocado and Herbs
Detox Avocado Smoothie
Prep
Total
Yield 2
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 c. fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 c. coconut water
- 1/2 c. almond milk
- 2 tbsp. almond butter
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients until creamy; serve immediately.
Courses Smoothie
Cuisine Raw
5. Summer Herb and Avocado Pesto
Summer Herb and Avocado Pesto
Ingredients
- 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 bunch kale leaves
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- A few leaves of fresh oregano
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 c. lightly toasted almonds
- 1/2 c. pine nuts
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- Pinch of sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the kale, herbs, garlic, almonds, pine nuts and avocado into the food processor and pulse to obtain a fine mince.
- Add the mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and pulse two or three times to incorporate.
- Transfer into an airtight jar, add a 1/4-inch layer of olive oil and keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Courses Sauces
Cuisine Raw
6. Quick Avocado Toast
Quick Avocado Toast
Prep
Total
Yield 2
Ingredients
- 2 tsp. Summer Herb and Avocado Pesto (recipe above)
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut into slices
- 10 lightly toasted almonds, crushed
- 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 toasted whole wheat bread slices
Instructions
- Spread a toasted bread slice with 1 tsp. avocado pesto.
- Add 1/2 sliced avocado, drizzle with lemon juice, top with crushed almonds, then season with salt and pepper.
- Repeat with the other bread slice, then serve.
Courses Snack
Cuisine Vegan
7. Chunky Guacamole
Chunky Guacamole
Prep
Total
Yield 2
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Add the avocado chunks into a medium bowl and smash them roughly using a fork.
- Add the red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, chili, salt and garlic and mix to combine.
- Serve on whole wheat bread or with tortilla chips.
Courses Dips
I loveee avocado! This is such a great post.
I love avocados so much and I’ve never really thought about how many different ways they can be enjoyed, so this post really enlightened me! Nice ideas :)
Akino | akinokiki.blogspot.ca
I adore avocado, it’s one of my favorite things to eat in the world! It is too expensive to get right now, where I live, but come summer, I am making that dressing!
Okay this is awesome. I have a hard time with avocados. I love the flavor, and obviously the health benefits, but I am not one for the texture. I am especially excited to try the goddess dressing! Is this anything like the Annie’s brand? Like flavor wise. Thanks for sharing these!
Xo
Nicole | http://www.bynicolegeorge.com
I love Avocado !! I never thought of these ways before but they all look so delicious !