Little Step No. 10
What to do:
Scrape the inside of your avocado skin.
Why this step works:
I love little steps like this one. Little steps that require hardly any extra effort, and yet can add significant value to your health when you do them repeatedly. In fact, this little step is so incredibly easy, it’s probably best described as a side shuffle!
If you already include avocados in your diet; you simply need to make sure you fully scrape the inside of the avocado skin before you discard it. That's it!
Why would you do this?
The simple answer is that the avocado flesh that lies closest to the skin is the most nutrient-dense part. You’ll notice that when you slice or peel an avocado, this part is a much darker green colour than the rest; and it’s this darkest green bit that you really want to make sure you’re eating. The easiest way to do this is to scrape the inside of the skin with a teaspoon after you've peeled it, to make sure you’ve got every last bit!
"Good fats do your body good."
Emma Sutherland
I often recommend adding avocados into the diet because it’s an easy way to include healthy fats. Over the years, I have noticed that many people are still avoiding fat altogether, despite the “all fat is bad for you” myth having been busted some time ago now. Sadly, the legacy of many years of fat demonization is that many people are still unsure about whether or not to include fat in their diet.
In fact, including more fat, not less, is often one of the first dietary changes I recommend. Including fat in your meals helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer and reduces cravings for sugary drinks and snacks in between meals. And contrary to what many people think, including fat in your diet may actually help to support a healthy weight.
Including fats also helps to improve the absorption of essential fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E & K. For example, when you add avocado to a salad, not only are you benefitting from the goodness of the avocado itself; the fats in the avocado actually help you to absorb goodness from the rest of your meal too! In addition, avocados are particularly beneficial for heart health, skin health, hormonal balance and for supporting vitamin A levels; an essential vitamin for immune function.
For an easy lunch, slice equal amounts of avocado, fresh mozzarella & beef tomato. Add a drizzle of olive oil, black pepper and some freshly torn basil leaves. For a dairy-free alternative, replace the mozzarella with sliced stir-fried silken tofu.
Enjoy!