Once upon a time therre was an Avocado
August 27th 2007 00:25
I’m a bit overly fussy at times.
Not with everything, you understand, but just a few selected items. We all are, I suppose … I wouldn’t be alone in that.
And one of the things I am selective with is … what shall I call them? … dairy spreads.
Butter, margarine, low fat, full fat, blended spreads … the list of these is almost as comprehensive these days as the list of different types of cows milk. And there are a hell of a lot of those.
Butter? Isn’t it supposed to be full of saturated fat, raising your cholesterol and threatening the health of your heart?
Vegetable oil margarines? Now, they’ve been linked with eye sight problems … haven’t they?
Blended spreads? Well, they’d wreck both your heart and eyes, obviously!!!
And a recent report has suggested that margarine is high in potentially fatal trans fats, something that butter doesn’t seem to suffer from.
Personally, I’m fed up with all this “don’t eat this” and “can’t eat that” and “eat this and you’ll die a disgusting and painful death”, so I’ve chosen to buy Olive oil spreads. Apparently they are not afflicted with the trans fat disease and won’t make me go blind (bonus!!), they also taste better, I reckon.
Can’t go wrong.
However (and there had to be a however, didn’t there) I try not to use too much of this essentially useless fat. Oh, don’t get me wrong, margarine or butter can be useful in sticking a sandwich together (there’s nothing worse than making a ham and cheese sandwich, picking it up and having all the filling fall out because it’s slid straight off the bread), it can also be beneficial when lubricating other fillings such as vegemite (or mighty mite, which is a cheaper version of that other popular yeast spread) and it’s great for cooking with. But in certain situations, especially where sticking a sandwich together is concerned, there is something else that I much prefer to use …
… no, not tomato sauce …
…avocado.
Avocado can be great as a marg substitute … well, sometimes it can. I find it doesn’t work quite so well when used with jam, but that’s a different story! They are high in fat but avocados are full of good fats, the kind that can actually help lower your cholesterol not raise it. This amazing “good for you” fat is called oleic acid and is a monounsaturated fat which research has shown can lower overall cholesterol levels and increase health promoting HDL cholesterol. Oleic acid has also been shown to provide significant protection against breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Don’t forget, though, fat is fat and too much of it will just turn you into a statistic. And not a good statistic either. One of those statistics that you read in the newspaper or your favourite women’s magazine and think “damn straight I’m glad that’s not me!”
Avocados are also a good source of the mineral potassium, helpful in regulating blood pressure and guarding against heart attack and stroke. It is also an excellent source of folate, important for heart health and proven to reduce the risk of certain birth defects such as spina bifida.
One final benefit of this “margarine substitute” is the role it can play in the absorption of other beneficial nutrients, such as the healthy carotenoids provided by certain vegetables, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein and lycopene. All extremely useful to our delicate and susceptible bodies.
So, next time you make a nice salad, or a ham and cheese sandwich, think about adding a bit of avocado as well. Not only is it healthy, it’s also extremely tasty and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Just one word of advice … don’t add it to your child’s peanut butter sandwich instead of butter … they’ll never forgive you! Oh, and it’s a good idea to inform them every time you spread their crackers with avocado and put them in a school lunch. It may be a good way to stick the cheese to the crackers but when they come home uneaten and your child asks you (with tears in their eyes) why you gave them mouldy cheese … well … it’s not a good feeling.
Thanks Wiki for the piccy(s) once again
I’d like to offer my thanks to anyone who has enjoyed reading this post and apologise for any delay there may be in responding to comments. I’m currently homeless as I travel north on a quest to find a new home. I will respond as soon as I possibly can. If you don’t want to comment, don’t forget there is a vote button … thank you for using it.
Not with everything, you understand, but just a few selected items. We all are, I suppose … I wouldn’t be alone in that.
And one of the things I am selective with is … what shall I call them? … dairy spreads.
Butter, margarine, low fat, full fat, blended spreads … the list of these is almost as comprehensive these days as the list of different types of cows milk. And there are a hell of a lot of those.
Butter? Isn’t it supposed to be full of saturated fat, raising your cholesterol and threatening the health of your heart?
Vegetable oil margarines? Now, they’ve been linked with eye sight problems … haven’t they?
Blended spreads? Well, they’d wreck both your heart and eyes, obviously!!!
And a recent report has suggested that margarine is high in potentially fatal trans fats, something that butter doesn’t seem to suffer from.
Personally, I’m fed up with all this “don’t eat this” and “can’t eat that” and “eat this and you’ll die a disgusting and painful death”, so I’ve chosen to buy Olive oil spreads. Apparently they are not afflicted with the trans fat disease and won’t make me go blind (bonus!!), they also taste better, I reckon.
Can’t go wrong.
However (and there had to be a however, didn’t there) I try not to use too much of this essentially useless fat. Oh, don’t get me wrong, margarine or butter can be useful in sticking a sandwich together (there’s nothing worse than making a ham and cheese sandwich, picking it up and having all the filling fall out because it’s slid straight off the bread), it can also be beneficial when lubricating other fillings such as vegemite (or mighty mite, which is a cheaper version of that other popular yeast spread) and it’s great for cooking with. But in certain situations, especially where sticking a sandwich together is concerned, there is something else that I much prefer to use …
… no, not tomato sauce …
…avocado.
An avocado
Avocado can be great as a marg substitute … well, sometimes it can. I find it doesn’t work quite so well when used with jam, but that’s a different story! They are high in fat but avocados are full of good fats, the kind that can actually help lower your cholesterol not raise it. This amazing “good for you” fat is called oleic acid and is a monounsaturated fat which research has shown can lower overall cholesterol levels and increase health promoting HDL cholesterol. Oleic acid has also been shown to provide significant protection against breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Don’t forget, though, fat is fat and too much of it will just turn you into a statistic. And not a good statistic either. One of those statistics that you read in the newspaper or your favourite women’s magazine and think “damn straight I’m glad that’s not me!”
Avocados are also a good source of the mineral potassium, helpful in regulating blood pressure and guarding against heart attack and stroke. It is also an excellent source of folate, important for heart health and proven to reduce the risk of certain birth defects such as spina bifida.
One final benefit of this “margarine substitute” is the role it can play in the absorption of other beneficial nutrients, such as the healthy carotenoids provided by certain vegetables, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein and lycopene. All extremely useful to our delicate and susceptible bodies.
An avocado tree
So, next time you make a nice salad, or a ham and cheese sandwich, think about adding a bit of avocado as well. Not only is it healthy, it’s also extremely tasty and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Just one word of advice … don’t add it to your child’s peanut butter sandwich instead of butter … they’ll never forgive you! Oh, and it’s a good idea to inform them every time you spread their crackers with avocado and put them in a school lunch. It may be a good way to stick the cheese to the crackers but when they come home uneaten and your child asks you (with tears in their eyes) why you gave them mouldy cheese … well … it’s not a good feeling.
Thanks Wiki for the piccy(s) once again
I’d like to offer my thanks to anyone who has enjoyed reading this post and apologise for any delay there may be in responding to comments. I’m currently homeless as I travel north on a quest to find a new home. I will respond as soon as I possibly can. If you don’t want to comment, don’t forget there is a vote button … thank you for using it.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I really like the title of this post
I agree, there is so much choice out there and confusing information, it's mind-boggling, sometimes I almost give up. For me, I think the best way is to read the ingredients list and work it out for myself...although it does take longer to do the shopping, but once you've I've figured out what is best for me, I try and stick with it.
I didn't know avocadoes were so versatile...what a pity I don't like them!!
I hope your hunt for a new home isn't too stressful, I don't know how you found the time to write such a good post with all that happening.
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hhhhhmmmmm I love avo... with vinegar and pepper! YUM! The fact that it is good for you is just a bonus. I heard today that we are being overcharged by avo`s to some HUGE degree as they have had a bumper crop this year so the prices should hopefully start to come down soon.
All the best with your trip. Wow very bravewith littlies! Welcome to Queensland... when you get here
Ash
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
"Haven't had butter in the house since 1954" (say with old persons accent) *chuckle*
/seriously/ we kicked out margarine when I found out that the 'bio-diesel' chemical used to keep it spreadable, causes cataracts and blindness in old age.
Butter bumps cholesterol, so who needs it (other than as a rare treat)... so avo's have been the spread of choice since.
Yummo with a salad alone; or spread on a roll... much tastier and I'll still be able to 'see' them and pick them from the tree when I'm old and grey.
My eldest daughter loves Avocado, chicken and melted cheese, on a slice of toasted Soy and Linseed bread.
Great Post!
Lilla ...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Like Lilla's daughter, I love avocado on Soy and Linseed bread...with promite. And no salad is complete without an avocado...and DDH makes the best guacomole....and yum Ash...vinegar and pepper!
My French friends eat avocado as the fruit it is. They eat it for dessert!
Hope you've arrived safely hon...will wait to hear from you.
Big hug...
Dusk
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
In that case, I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
I'll tell you what, with the packing, writing and 'mummy duties' I didn't even have time to scratch myself (as they say) ... now all we need to do is find somewhere to live.
A.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I so hope the prices start to drop soon ... the supermarkets have been overcharging us for years.
I am really looking forward to arriving in QLD ... we're having a stop over in NSW at the moment while we find a house to live in up there so keep your fingers crossed for me that it doesn't take too long.
A.xx
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Always great to meet a like-minded person.
I heard the reports about marg and eye problems fairly recently as well. Thankfully, as a family, we don't use a lot of marg type spreads anyway.
I love your daughter's choice of food ... my fav is ham, chicken, cheese and avocado in a sandwich YUM!!
Thanks Lilla
A.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
You're like me ... I love avocado with anything and on anything ... I must taste DDH's guacomole one day.
We got to NSW safe. sound and very tired and are all looking forward to getting to QLD. I'll email soon with all our news.
Cara. xxxx
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Isn't it a shame that the things the 'experts' tell us are bad for us are usually the things that taste the best.
Oh well, we can't win every time!!
A.xx