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When I was a kid, my mom would prepare sliced avocados swimming in milk for dessert. I also love avocado smoothies. I have always eaten it that way and wouldn't dream of eating it as is. But there's always a first time and yesterday, I dared to eat one without anything on it. While my office mates were dipping it in white sugar, I find myself savoring the creaminess and the natural sweetness. I am enjoying it as it is. It's this change in mindset really that made me enjoy real foods without all those extra things. Eating real foods did that to me. My palate has adjusted and is not craving too much for the usual artificial tastes. So I guess that dissolves my plan to do food and restaurant reviews as I would probably fail miserably in that department.
Avocado is one of those fruits that are beneficial for people who suffer from hypertension, like me. There is that magic essential mineral that I always look for: potassium. It is even a better source of potassium than the good old banana. As we know, potassium balances out sodium, even flushing out the excess according to this site. On the sides, potassium is also credited for the anti-aging effects as it is a known muscle relaxant. Ever wonder why they make avocado masks? But I like eating fruits rather than putting them on my face hehehe. On a side note, potassium is also beneficial for runners and other athletes for good heart function and to stave off those muscle cramps.
Another great thing about avocados is that it contains monounsaturated fats. These are the good fats responsible for balancing out our cholesterol levels by promoting the HDL (good cholesterol) and controlling the LDL (bad cholesterol). I remember having to take Atorvastatin for two months because my lipid profile shows I am a tad below the minimum HDL level and my LDL has simply gone overboard. What I think about when I eat avocados now is that I am packing a lot of HDL's and that makes me enjoy the food even better. Of course, for weight watchers, take note that since it has high amount of fats, although the good ones, it is also packed with calories. A whole avocado is around 250 calories, as this site says. Still, that is still way lower than the calories contained in a cupcake.
Well, here I am with a bunch of avocados and I'm planning to have one for breakfast right now. I am not really so worried about the calories that I have to burn off later. I think I can still outrun those calories.
For more information on avocados, I found these great links you might like to check out:
- Avocado Central
- Avocados to Lower Blood Pressure
- Hypertension and Diet
- 4 Delicious Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
