Can You Eat Too Much Avocado?
November 01, 2018
On any given day, we’re mashing avocado on toast, blending it in smoothies, and looking for any excuse to make guacamole. Sound familiar?
If so, you may have wondered if there’s any harm in eating too much avocado. Technically the answer is yes, but it’s absolutely possible to enjoy a daily dose without going overboard. Here’s what you need to know.
Other MUFA sources include olive oil and canola oil, but avocados are unique because they also have fiber, a nutrient that comes with even more benefits. That makes them a healthy substitution for saturated fats, like cheese or bacon on a sandwich. Saturated fats are a not-so-healthy fat that can contribute to higher cholesterol levels.
You don’t hear of many people eating too many calories of broccoli or carrots, but because healthy fats like avocado tend to be rich in flavor, they’re pretty easy to overeat. Think about how easy it is to douse a salad with olive oil, eat a big bag of almonds, or down a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.
We’re more likely to eat a half or whole avocado, which could easily fit within your daily budget of fat servings, depending on your unique needs. If you’re a Habit customer, you can check your nutrition plan for your daily recommended servings of fat.
Half an avocado counts as 2 1/2 fat servings, while a whole one counts as 5. Say for example your nutrition plan calls for 8 servings of fat a day. You have plenty of wiggle room to have a half of an avocado or more, as long as you’re mindful of the other fat sources you eat that day.
How’s that for good news?
If so, you may have wondered if there’s any harm in eating too much avocado. Technically the answer is yes, but it’s absolutely possible to enjoy a daily dose without going overboard. Here’s what you need to know.
Avocados are packed full of healthy fats
Avocados get their good-for-you reputation from monounsaturated fats, often dubbed MUFAs. These heart-healthy fats can help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your body, lowering your risk of heart disease.Other MUFA sources include olive oil and canola oil, but avocados are unique because they also have fiber, a nutrient that comes with even more benefits. That makes them a healthy substitution for saturated fats, like cheese or bacon on a sandwich. Saturated fats are a not-so-healthy fat that can contribute to higher cholesterol levels.
What happens when you eat too much healthy fat?
All fats, including healthy ones, tend to be high in calories. Eating too many calories, regardless of the foods they come from, can contribute to weight gain.You don’t hear of many people eating too many calories of broccoli or carrots, but because healthy fats like avocado tend to be rich in flavor, they’re pretty easy to overeat. Think about how easy it is to douse a salad with olive oil, eat a big bag of almonds, or down a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.
How much avocado to have in a day
Technically, a serving is about one-fifth of a medium avocado, clocking in at a reasonable 50 calories. But if you’re like us, you probably don’t eat just a fifth.We’re more likely to eat a half or whole avocado, which could easily fit within your daily budget of fat servings, depending on your unique needs. If you’re a Habit customer, you can check your nutrition plan for your daily recommended servings of fat.
Half an avocado counts as 2 1/2 fat servings, while a whole one counts as 5. Say for example your nutrition plan calls for 8 servings of fat a day. You have plenty of wiggle room to have a half of an avocado or more, as long as you’re mindful of the other fat sources you eat that day.
How’s that for good news?
