Avocado and Diabetes

Before diving into the health benefits of avocados for people with diabetes, it's helpful to have an understanding of the overall nutrition content of this fruit. A medium avocado has the following nutritional profile:

• 322 calories

• 30 grams fat

• 4 grams protein

• 17 grams carbohydrates

• 14 grams dietary fiber

• 22% of the daily value of vitamin C

• 28% of the daily value of vitamin E

• 35% of the daily value of vitamin K

• 14% of the daily value of magnesium

• 21% of the daily value of potassium

As is evident, avocados are packed with nutrients, but some people may worry about the high fat content of this food. Keep in mind that most of the fat in avocados is in the form of monounsaturated fats. In fact, just over 2/3 of the fat content of avocados is from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of both heart disease and stroke. The fat in avocados in considered healthy fat, and it is therefore safe to incorporate avocados into the diet, even if you have diabetes. A MUFA rich diet that contains avocados is healthier than a diet that is high in saturated fat and trans fats from fatty meats and processed foods.

If you're on a weight loss diet to try to reduce diabetes complications through achieving a healthy weight, you might still be concerned about the fact that avocados are relatively high in calories. Avocados are calorie dense, but it turns out that a typical serving size is half an avocado, which packs about 160 calories, along with a hefty dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This means that you get a good nutritional bang for your buck when eating avocados. The fiber content in this food will keep you full, and since avocados are packed with nutrients, you won't be back in the kitchen soon after eating, reaching for a snack to get the nutrition you need.

Hass avocados are the most popular type of this fruit. Fortunately, hass avocado intake has numerous health benefits. Beyond the fact that they contain heart healthy fats, avocados are packed with potassium, which can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Potassium also keeps the nervous system functioning optimally.

The combination of good fats and minerals in avocados makes them an excellent food for improving overall heart health. In fact, not only do magnesium and potassium help with blood pressure regulation; the monounsaturated fats in avocados directly affect cholesterol levels in a way that lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because fatty acids from monounsaturated fat increase levels of HDL cholesterol which is considered healthy, while lowering LDL cholesterol levels. All of these benefits combine to promote a healthier ticker!

When you add avocado to your diet, you are also contributing to a healthy immune system, as avocado is a strong source of vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B6, all of which support the immune system and can reduce inflammation.

In addition to vitamin and mineral content, avocados are a rich source of dietary fiber, which improves digestion and supports healthy gut bacteria. Fiber intake can reduce inflammation in the intestine and lower the risk of colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. A high fiber diet that includes avocados can also help people with diabetes to lose weight, as fiber is bulky and keeps you feeling full, which can prevent overeating. Being full from fiber also lowers subsequent energy intake, keeping overall calorie consumption low.

Finally, avocados promote health in general, as they are rich in antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of numerous health conditions. Antioxidants can also protect the body's cells and improve overall cognitive functioning.

All of these health benefits associated with avocado nutrition are not just speculation. In fact, numerous studies have shown that avocado intake not only promotes heart health but also contributes to healthy aging and assists with weight management in overweight adults.

If you're still not convinced that you can eat avocado and manage your diabetes, consider the effect that avocado has on blood sugar levels. According to a study in the Journal of Ethnic Foods, the glycemic index (GI) of avocado sits at 40, which is low. Following a diet that includes mostly low GI foods is likely to be beneficial for people with diabetes, as foods that are low GI result in a slower increase in blood glucose levels after eating.

In addition to the fact that avocado is a low GI food, numerous studies have demonstrated that this fruit has anti-diabetic effects. For instance, several studies have found that avocado reduces insulin levels in the blood, suggesting that it can improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. According to research carried out by the American Diabetes Association, the anti-diabetic effects of avocados may be linked to their content of monounsaturated fat, as diets high in these fatty acids have been found to lower fasting blood sugar, body weight, blood pressure, and triglycerides in people with diabetes, when compared to diets high in carbohydrates. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats is also superior to a diet that is high in polyunsaturated fats for reducing fasting blood sugar levels.

Summarizing the Benefits of Avocados

To summarize what has been learned about avocados, you can expect the following benefits when you incorporate this super fruit into your diet:

• Lower insulin resistance and reduced insulin levels

• Better blood glucose regulation

• Enhanced heart health from the good fats in avocados

• Improvement in cholesterol profile (lowered LDL cholesterol, combined with higher HDL cholesterol)

• Reduced blood pressure

• Lower risk of health problems like heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer

• Improvement in digestion

• Greater satisfaction after eating, which assists with weight control

Based upon avocado nutrition, it is beneficial to incorporate this fruit into a diabetes diet. Because of the nutrition profile of avocados, they can reduce high blood sugar levels, provide a good source of healthy fats, lower high blood cholesterol levels, and be a part of a healthy low-carb diet for diabetes.

If you want to eat avocados, there are ways to incorporate this food into things you're already eating. For example, avocado can be added to scrambled eggs to add a dose of fiber and healthy fat, or placed on top of a salad with leafy greens. You can chop up avocado and add it to Mexican dishes like tacos, or eat half an avocado topped with lime juice as a snack.

For some additional ways to add avocado to your diet, consider the recipes below.

Avocado Crab Boats

For this recipe that includes all the healthy goodness of avocado, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 5 medium ripe avocados

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 six-ounce cans of lumped crabmeat

• 4 total tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 tablespoons minced chives

• 1 seeded and minced serrano pepper

• 1/3 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 tablespoon drained capers

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• lemon wedges

The steps below will help you to prepare your crab boats:

1) Peel your avocados, and cut them in half.

2) Drain your crabmeat.

3) Begin to preheat your broiler. Meanwhile, put two of your avocado halves in a bowl, and mash them.

4) Add your mayonnaise and lemon juice, and mix them until they are blended together.

5) Stir in crab, 3 tablespoons of cilantro, chives, serrano pepper, capers, and black pepper.

6) Spoon the mixture above into the remaining avocado halves.

7) Place the filled avocado halves in a baking dish, and then sprinkle with cheese and paprika.

8) Broil for 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with lemon wedges.

Grilled Chicken with Avocado Sauce

This simple recipe is packed with protein and can be easily incorporated into a low carbohydrate diet for healthy blood sugar maintenance. Grab the ingredients below to start:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1/2 cup lime juice

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Use these ingredients for the sauce:

• 1 medium ripe avocado

• 1/2 cup fat free sour cream

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

The steps below will produce this recipe:

1) Use a large bowl to combine lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt. Turn the chicken to coat it in this mixture, and then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2) Create the sauce by putting the avocado, sour cream, minced fresh cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and salt in a food processor until well blended. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and then cover and refrigerate it until you're ready to eat.

3) Drain the chicken and grill it over medium heat until the chicken is no longer pink and is fully cooked through. Remove from the grill and serve with the avocado sauce.

Chicken, Black Bean, and Avocado Tacos

This recipe will be your go-to meal during the work week, as most of the prep occurs in a slow cooker. You'll need the common ingredients below to make these high-fiber, protein rich tacos:

• 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple

• 1/2 cup salsa

• 2 green onions, sliced

• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest

• 1/4 cup lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/8 teaspoon each salt, cayenne pepper and pepper

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

• 12 low-carb flour tortillas

• Peeled, diced medium-ripe avocado

Once you've gathered your ingredients, follow the steps below for this hearty, healthy meal:

1) Combine crushed pineapple, 1/2 cup salsa, green onions, grated lime zest, and lime juice in a bowl. Next, stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, and pepper.

2) Place your chicken in a slow cooker, and then add the mixture above.

3) Cook the chicken on low heat until the chicken is tender, for about 4-5 hours.

4) Remove chicken and allow to cool. Next. shred it, and then return it to the slow cooker. Stir in black beans. Cook, while covered, for an additional 15-20 minutes.

5)Use a slotted spoon to place the chicken mixture inside the tortillas. Top with avocado slices and other desired toppings, which may include fat-free sour cream, cream cheese, or shredded lettuce.