The scariest thing I’ve ever done was type, “What does a serving of avocado look like” into my search bar.

Okay, so maybe that’s an exaggeration. But it was pretty darn nerve-racking. Before I hit the enter key, I reflected on all of the amazing brunches I’ve had with amazing friends around the city as well as how many of them involved delightfully loaded avocado toast. Ahem … just about all of them did. How could I betray the people I love and our favorite meal like this? Did I really want to know the answer to this question? Can ignorance just be bliss here? Wow, have I really been holding my breath for two whole minutes?

I let out a (very strong) sigh of relief when I read on POPSUGAR that the damage from eating an entire avocado spread over a piece of toast isn’t THAT bad, as long as you are keeping everything else in check. The actual recommended serving size of your average avocado is one ounce, or 1/5 of a medium-sized avocado. However, avocado is considered a healthy added fat; and if you aren’t adding any other healthy fats to your meal, you are in the clear. In other words, if you’re getting eggs on the side, stick with hard-boiled or poached to avoid more added fats. And you can all continue to enjoy your loaded avocado toast in peace.

Phew, that was a close one.

Then I started thinking … in what other ways can one eat ALL of the avocados without going overboard?

Make it your salad dressing.

In recent years, the myth that low-fat and fat-free salad dressings are better for you has been busted. Many sources, including SELF, have explained the benefit of full-fat dressings: you need healthy fat to absorb the nutrients from your vegetables. But don’t go reaching for the ranch dressing just yet. The key word here is healthy, as in … avocado! Just be sure that your avocado dressing is the only fat you are adding to your salad. Find a quick and delicious avocado dressing here.

Bake an egg in an avocado.

Again, no other added fats, but all of the deliciousness. Find the very simple recipe here.

Whip up some avocado brownies.

The avocado replaces any oil or butter you would put in a traditional recipe, and it results in a rich and delicious product. Use this recipe. You won’t regret it.

Try avocado mac and cheese

… or what I now know as the beautiful child of the two greatest things in the word. It has a little bit of a “Green Eggs and Ham” theme as you have to try it before you knock it, and, well, it’s very green. But try it and you will soon find that you will eat it in a box and with a fox in a house and with a mouse and here or there or anywhere. Promise. Just click here.

Dive head first into a plate of baked avocado fries with chipotle dipping sauce.

Minimal added oils, maximal potential to change life as you know it for good. Discover the greatness here.

 

Eating an entire avocado in one sitting without packing on the calories and fat content is a skill that is definitely worth mastering. What’s your go-to healthy indulgence?