One big myth I've heard before about avocados in the weight loss community is how fattening bad they are and if you're on a weight loss diet, avocados should be eliminated. People who follow a weight loss routine religiously usually avoid foods high in calories and I agree with them but the truth is not all calories are created equal. For instance 200 calories from donuts is not the same as 200 calories from avocados. A whole avocado contains about 200 calories but are rich in valuable nutrients like vitamins and minerals whereas donuts contain mostly empty(not much nutritive value)and unhealthy calories derived from simple carbs like white flour and sugars and bad fats like saturated fats and trans fats. Nutrition-wise, you can't compare these 2 foods, so with that in mind, avocados might be high in calories but these calories are nutrient-dense making them a great weight loss superfood. Let's dig deeper in the health benefits of avocados and how they can foster fat-burning and weight loss.

Avocados are one of the most healthiest fruits on earth but yet have gotten a bad rap due to its high fat content. When people hear of fats, they automatically think it's unhealthy. This can't be further from the truth. Not all fats are equal. What many people don't know is that avocados contain unsaturated fats notably monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats which are the good fats that your body needs to function properly. The type of fats that you should avoid are saturated fats like animal fats and hydrogenated oil as well as trans fats. These fats are highly responsible for cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, the good fats deriving from avocados promote weight loss as well as overall health. Due to its medicinal properties, avocados can fight and prevent many health problems like heart diseases, high blood pressure, cancer, macular degeneration and more.

One misconception about fats is you'll get fat and gain weight if you eat fats. That's not entirely true. Gaining weight has mostly to do with your total calorie intake and also if you consume more calories than you burn. Fats have more calories than protein and carbs for instance, so if you eat too much of them, of course your calorie intake will shoot up. The instant reaction many people with weight loss goals have is "oh no I can't eat avocados because it's fattening", hence they will totally bypass this valuable fruit just by thinking of its high fat content. But the truth is you can't simply become suddenly obese or overweight just by eating some good fats like avocados. So your worries are far exaggerated.

Here are some nutrition facts about avocados that you should know before avoiding them completely. Avocados are grown in warm regions and when they turn ripe, their flesh inside becomes soft and tender. The outer shell also changes into a darker color. Avocados are loaded with vitamins like vitamin A, K, C, E, B-vitamins and other vital nutrients like folic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iodine plus they are rich in fiber and are cholesterol-free. Fiber is important as it clears your digestive system and regulates effective bowel activity. People who are constipated often experience weight issues. So having a diet high in fiber is crucial for losing weight.

Furthermore, the monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats found in avocados contain omega-3, 6, 9 essential fatty acids(EFAs) like oleic acid and EFAs have been proven to boost your metabolism which will kick your fat burning furnace into high gear. So that means more weight loss for you. Eating avocados as a snack will result in greater satiety and help keep hunger pangs at bay while eliminating your food cravings during the day. The end result is no more binging here and there meaning your weight loss is under control. The healthy fats found in avocados help your body create a hormone called adiponectin which has the ability to burn fat cells.

If you're on a weight loss regimen and you see avocados on the market next time, never ask yourself the question "Are avocados fattening bad or good for weight loss?". Just buy some and add them in your diet. You will be delighted how avocados can help you in your quest for weight loss. Some of the ways you can eat avocados include making guacamole, an avocado salad, an avocado salsa and making a nice smoothie. As with everything in life, excess and overindulging is never good. Olive oil is good for health but don't go and drink one bottle of olive oil. You get the point. Same as with avocados, eating it in moderation on a regular basis will help shed stubborn pounds off and bring many health benefits as well. Eating 1 avocado everyday or every other day should not pose any problem.