The keto diet or ketogenic diet is a trendy diet used around the world for weight loss purposes. It revolves around reducing your daily carbohydrate intake and replacing it with high fats to achieve a metabolic state called ‘ketosis’. In this state, your body burns already stored fat to produce energy instead of carbohydrates. The keto diet limits high-carbohydrate foods and promotes fat intake.
If you’re new to the ketogenic diet, you may be confused about what to eat and what to leave out. Some foods are not suitable to eat while on a ketogenic diet, and some foods are not suitable for a ketogenic diet. However, there are some foods that people aren’t sure are suitable for keto. Avocados are one of those foods that people have long ignored due to their high fat content, but there is currently an ongoing debate about whether you should eat avocados while on a keto diet.
If you are also wondering about “Can I eat avocados while on a ketogenic diet?” then you have come to the perfect place as today we are going to dispel all the misconceptions about avocados. So let’s get started!
Absolutely! Avocados are a keto-friendly food, so you can eat them while on a keto diet. The latest research proves that avocados are not only a keto-friendly food, but also have a wide range of health benefits. Avocado’s nutritional profile is the most important evidence of its keto-friendliness. 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of avocado contains:
9 grams of protein
5 grams of carbohydrates
7 grams of fat
Avocado’s nutritional profile shows that over 77% of its total calories come from fat, making it a great high-fat food to eat on a keto diet. In addition to this, avocados also provide other important and essential nutrients such as:
Research shows that avocados are rich in approximately 20 vitamins, essential minerals, and a wide range of nutritious plant compounds. What else do you want from a keto-friendly food?
The “keto-friendly avocado” story doesn’t end with its nutritional profile. Once you know about the various health benefits of eating avocado on a keto diet, you will surely fall in love with this delicious food. So, without making you wait, let us discuss the main health benefits of avocado.
improve heart health
Avocados were once thought to be bad for heart health due to their high fat content, but thanks to modern research, avocados contain a special type of fat that can improve heart health. I know. Research shows that avocados are rich in monosaturated fats, which protect against atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease explained by the blockage of blood flow in the heart arteries. Avocados are also rich in monosaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, and plant compounds that lower blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent heart-related conditions.
Lower the risk of metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of diseases including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease (such as stroke). According to a research study conducted in 2013, avocados play an active role in regulating hormones involved in mediating metabolic syndrome. This study reported that people who regularly consumed avocados tended to be healthier.
Helpful in cancer treatment
Cancer is a life-threatening disease that comes in many aggressive forms. Several studies have reported that avocados contain very powerful phytochemicals that not only help treat cancer, but also play a role in cancer prevention. This is because avocados are rich in monosaturated fats, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
promote weight loss
Avocados are a food that promotes weight loss because they are high in fat. Eating the right amount of avocado will make you feel fuller, which will keep you fuller for longer, so you’ll eat less without feeling hungry. Your body has enough time to burn the already stored fat and generate energy, ultimately leading to weight loss.
Avocados are a great keto-friendly food to eat while on a keto diet. It has a wide range of health benefits, including preventing cardiovascular disease, promoting weight loss, and promoting cancer treatment.
