Avocado milkshake
Our pick of super food this week goes to the avocado.
The avocado has over 3,000 years as a health food. The Aztecs knew them as the 'Fruit of the Gods' and the Mayans believed that they had magaical powers and was an aphrodisiac.
Whether or not this is in fact true has yet to be substantiated but it is clearly one healthy piece of fruit.
Half an avocado provides one of the five a day portions of fruit or vegeatable that's recommended for us all to eat.
Avocados are high in vitamins, minerals, including potassium (more than bananas) but also contain no cholesterol or solid fats, but actually contain mono-saturates (that help lower LDL – or bad cholesterol). So like olive oil avocados contain the good fats.
It has been said that they are as good as blueberries for promoting brain health.
Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, the avocado is also very high in oleic acid. Oleic acid is a type of monounsaturated fat that can lower cholesterol. It has also shown promise in offering protection against breast cancer.
They are bursting with a number of different vitamins, including Vitamin A - crucial for health skin, bones and hair, and strengthens the immune system.
They're also packed with Vitamin B1, B2 and B6 - these are vital for energy metabolism, and help with concentrations and combat depression.
Vitamin B6 has also been proven to help keep the nervous in good condition and is beneficial to women suffering from PMS.
Try some of these recipes below and get all the benefits from the avocados.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Avocado Milkshake
Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Makes 600mls (2 tall glasses)
Ingredients
2 medium Hass avocados
250mls semi skimmed milk
100mls water
3 limes, squeezed
4 tsp sugar, or agave syrup (from all good health food shops and larger
supermarkets)
Pinch of salt
Combine all the ingredients in a liquidizer to a fluffy liquid and chill a little before serving.
Avocado Humous
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
1 400g/14oz tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
½ tsp Tabasco
½ tsp ground cumin
Salt, to taste
Pitta breads and crudités, to serve
Method:
1. Simply blend all of the ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.
2. Put the humous in a bowl and cover with cling film.
3. Chill in the fridge for one hour.
4. Serve with warm pitta breads and crudités.
Tagged in Health Super Food