Avocado Boost!

Avocado Boost!

Holy guacamole! Did you know avocados boost your metabolism?

Have you ever heard someone say, “You can’t please everyone; you aren’t an avocado?” That’s because so many people are absolutely obsessed with the fruit! And, yes, avocados are considered fruits! Crazy right? If you’ve always wondered why avocados have been such a pop culture phenom, now you know!

Besides adding a California vibe to our sushi rolls and sandwiches, there is a reason why avocados are considered a superfood. The fats in them are considered good fats –polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. It’s been discovered these good fats lower our cholesterol, suppress your appetite, help your body absorb nutrients, as well as many other things. But why does it help speed up your metabolism?

Recently, researchers at Penn State found people who consumed around 3 tablespoons of high-oleic oils daily for four weeks lowered their belly fat by 1.6% compared to those who consumed a flax/safflower oil blend, which is high in polyunsaturated fat. Another study in the journal Diabetes Care found the same thing. Researchers concluded people with a diet rich in monounsaturated fat may prevent body fat distribution around the belly by down-regulating the expression of certain fat genes.

This single seed fruit is full of fiber and healthy fats that are good for your body! This type of fat, along with the fiber it contains, will help you feel full and satisfied. It does this by sending your brain a message to turn your appetite’s off switch. Now, that’s a light switch some of us wish we had!

By eating foods rich in healthy fat, you are increasing the chances of your body releasing stored fat. Our bodies tend to store fat during times of stress, so having avocado on a long day or during a high-stress time will likely stop your body from hoarding fat. This will help you lose weight faster and help you maintain a healthy weight!

Bottom line:  Swap all the greasy, fried, and buttery polyunsaturated fat-filled snacks we ALL love for monounsaturated fat-filled treats, like fresh avocado or avocado oil! These healthier options provide a clean energy boost that keeps your metabolism burning, even after you’ve run your kids around to their 40 practices and school meetings! It may be a hard adjustment at first, but who doesn’t want a nice before and after pic collage on Facebook celebrating a slimmer you?         

So, don’t be PITiful! Pick healthier snacks and keep that fall and winter bodies summer ready! Come back tomorrow for more helpful hacks!