The One Food You Could Survive On (If You Had To)

Nutritionists often put avocados on the “clean 15” list—a selection of fruits and veggies with a thick skin that works to protect the soft inner flesh from any chemical sprays used to deter insects. No need to buy organic avocados!

Avocados are a fruit, but most of us don’t think of them that way, because they’re savory rather than sweet, and creamy rather than juicy. They have very little sugar but are a good source of healthy fats, fiber and even some protein (which is rare for a fruit), a winning combination that will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Unlike most fruits, avocados are packed full of “good fats” AKA monounsaturated fats. Research shows these help increase HDL cholesterol—the kind that enables the liver to flush bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Adding avocados to your diet can contribute to your daily intake of important nutrients like vitamin E, iron and zinc. Fun fact: there’s way more potassium in an avocado than in a banana, which is great for strengthening bones, improving vision and staving off depression.

Some nutrients—like beta carotene found in carrots and tomatoes, for example—are absorbed by the body more easily when consumed with fat, which is why studies show that adding avo to meals can help you get more goodness out of the other ingredients on your plate too.

Of course no single food source contains everything we need to live a long and healthy life, but it’s good to know an avocado is a healthy option when you’re in a pinch.
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