Avocado - Delicious, nutritious and versatile!

There are many health benefits of consuming avocados, including reducing risk factors in cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cancer.  Avocados have substantial health benefits due to their abundance of different amino acids, which essentially means they are a great source of protein.  Although the protein content is relatively low per 100g, being only 2g of protein, these 2g contain 18 different amino acids. Avocados are technically a fruit, but the carbohydrates that they contain are either the easy to digest simple monosaccharides, or fibre, which is necessary for normal digestive processes.  They are also rich in fatty acids, the majority of which are the unsaturated fats oleic and palmitic.  The type of fat they contain are actually heart-healthy fats, which also provide energy for your brain to function.

Avocados are also extremely versatile and are a great addition to any child’s diet.  Sliced avocado and banana sandwiches, on wholegrain bread or in wholemeal pitta bread make for a healthy lunch for young children, and they can be combined with endless other fruits and vegetables to ensure there is lots of variety.  Here’s just a few simple and easy options, suitable for young and old:

-          Hummus, sliced avocado, sliced tomato and rocket on wholegrain toast

-          Guacamole

-          Half and avocado baked with an egg

-          Hummus, sliced avocado and cranberries on oat cakes

-          Avocado, spinach and red pepper in a wrap

-          Spinach, diced avocado, walnut and roast butternut squash salad with balsamic dressing

-          Toasted slices of sweet potato with avocado and radishes

-          Potato hash with sliced avocado and tomato and a tahini dressing

The combinations are only limited by your imagination!