The Expert Sylvia Klinger, spokesperson for Love One Today®
Registered Dietitian | M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., C.P.T.
Q: I heard heart disease is a leading cause of death among U.S. Hispanics and want to reduce my risk factors but it can be overwhelming to keep track of foods that are heart healthy. Where do I start?
Sylvia: Many of the risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, can be prevented or managed with lifestyle changes. Nutrition can make a difference. I advise all my patients to include fresh avocados on their shopping list. Delicious and nutritious, healthy avocados provide naturally good fats and have no cholesterol nor sodium. Further, diets rich in healthy foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Healthy avocados are a good source of fiber.
Q: Avocados are heart-healthy (!) and I want to add more avocado to my daily diet. I need some practical ideas to help make sure I regularly add avocado goodness to my everyday routine.
Sylvia: Try starting the day with fresh avocado in a smoothie, with eggs or even in pancakes. In a recent study, researchers explored how eating avocado at breakfast may help improve blood circulation, vascular function, blood sugar levels and good cholesterol levels, all key markers of heart health. The conclusions of the study align with the growing body of evidence supporting the heart health benefits of avocado but cannot be generalized to all populations. More clinical studies are underway to investigate the relationship between avocado consumption and heart health as more research is needed.
We have delicious and easy-to-prepare, heart healthy recipes here. Plus, you can subscribe to our monthly newsletter to have more healthy avocado recipes delivered to your inbox.
Q: I’ve seen how cut avocados can go bad pretty quickly if not protected. If I add half an avocado to my breakfast, how can I help ensure the other half is still fresh for later?
Sylvia: Like other fruits, avocados will naturally oxidize or “brown” after cut and exposed to air. The ripeness as well as how you store a cut avocado will affect how long it stays fresh. To protect your uneaten avocado, the experts say that the best results come after adding an acidic agent like lemon or lime juice and limiting exposure to air by covering tightly with plastic wrap.
The Expert: Sylvia Klinger, spokesperson for Love One Today®
Registered Dietitian | M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., C.P.T.
Award-winning author and global nutrition entrepreneur founder of Hispanic Food Communications, a nutrition communications and culinary consulting company. She is relentlessly passionate about helping people fall in love with the process of creating and enjoying delicious but most importantly, nutritious foods.
