This fruit should be in everyone’s fridge: it gives a feeling of satiety and helps to lose unwanted kilos

Probably, everyone who has tasted an avocado for the first time is easily surprised – why this fruit with a strange, soap-like texture is so adored by the whole world. But when it is combined with the right products, seasoned with spices or citrus acid, completely different flavors are revealed.

It is not surprising that avocados, called the treasure of Mexico, did not immediately establish themselves in Europe – since they were first brought to our continent by the Spanish, several centuries have passed, and only when avocados began to be used in various salads did they find their way to the hearts of Europeans. Today, avocado is an integral part of a healthy diet.

Gintarė Kitovė, head of communication at the “Iki” trade network, notes that avocados have been experiencing a real golden age in recent years. Although usually labeled as a breakfast food, they are used in the kitchen much more universally. They are used to make various sauces, season salads, pasta, soups, whip up healthy cocktails or even prepare desserts.

“Although in the spring, visitors to the shopping chain are most looking forward to fresh Lithuanian vegetables and fruits, goodies from other countries are also often found in their baskets, among which avocados are one of the most popular.

Taking into account the preferences and habits of buyers, we offer them in different types and from different countries. We have both regular and organic avocados in our assortment, and for the convenience of customers, both ripe and green avocados, which can be stored in the home kitchen for a longer period of time, reach store shelves,” says G. Kitovė.

Although avocados cannot be called a low-calorie product, even those who care about their body lines can eat them for good health. Saturated and nutritious fruits contain a lot of good monounsaturated fats, which help regulate body weight, feel fuller for longer, and reduce the amount of snacks. Fibrous substances in avocados are also valuable for those who are losing weight, which have a positive effect on intestinal activity, help regulate blood sugar levels, and provide a feeling of satiety.

The fat in avocados is also important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, carotenoids and antioxidants. This is one of the reasons why it is advisable to consume these fruits in combination with other products – by slicing some avocados on your plate, you will get much more benefit from the products.

One avocado contains twice as much potassium as a banana, which is considered their source, and it is also enriched with twenty different vitamins and minerals – if you include these fruits in your daily diet, you will help ensure the necessary amount of vitamins in the body, improve well-being, and heart function. In addition, avocados are recommended for those who struggle with bad cholesterol in the blood.

Jolanta Sabaitienė, an employee of the fruit and vegetable department of the “Iki” trade chain, recommends that those choosing avocados first evaluate themselves – will you eat them immediately or keep them at home for a longer time.

“It is interesting that avocados do not ripen on the tree itself and are only ripe for picking. So if you plan to eat these fruits in the near future, before buying, take the avocado in the palm of your hand and lightly press it. A green avocado is as hard as a stone, a ripe one is softer, but not squishy. You can check if the avocado is ripe enough by removing its stem – if the bottom of the avocado is bright green, it means that the fruit is fully ripe and ready to eat. If it’s brown, the avocado is probably overripe,” advises J. Sabaitienė.

For avocado lovers, it is worth remembering a few tricks on how to ripen these fruits faster at home when they are still green. Place the avocados in a paper bag with the banana and store at room temperature. Placed next to bananas, not only avocados, but also other fruits will ripen much faster. And you can ripen an avocado in just 10 minutes by wrapping it in foil and heating it to 90 degrees in an oven. However, if you appreciate the delicate taste and good qualities of this fruit, it is better to let it ripen naturally.