As a Latin American, avocados have been part of my diet since childhood. Back in my home country, there are places where you can pick avocados off the trees. Well, it was like that in my childhood, but times are a-changing. It’s no secret that avocados are highly regarded for the nutritional value, but did you know they are also beneficial for a diabetic diet?

The American Diabetes Association recommends healthy eating habits as a key compoent to manage diabetes.Avocados, as a nutrient-rich food, are a natural choice for a healthy diet. Why? Read on.

Good Fats

Avocados are pack with good fats. A 1 oz serving of this delicious fruit offers monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Limiting the consumption of saturated fats is imprtant for diabetic patients, as they are prone to develop heart disease.

Fiber

Dietary fiber is another componentn of avocados. It does not break down, so it does not raise blood sugar levels. One once of avocados provides 8% of dietary value for fiber.

Carbs

When your body is digesting carbohydrates, they are turned into glucose. This glucose then is absorbed and causes spikes in your blood sugar. Avocados hve very little carbs. One once of avocado has just three grams of carbohydrates, which is about 1% of recommended daily value.

Sodium and cholesterol free

Avocados are naturally los in sodium and cholesterol (the bad kind). These two dietary components have to be kept in check for a diabetic diet.

So, next time you’re in the fruit aisle, pick up a bag of avocados. My favourite way to eat them is in guacamole. Here’s a quick and easy recipe:

Mexican Guacamole

This is a recipe that my mom taught me. She’s Mexican, like me, so you can be sure it’s good.

1. Cut 2 avocados and crush them in a bowl . A fork works well, and keeps the mix chunky.
2. Finely chop a handful of cilantro and a small onion.
3. Mix in the all three ingredients and add the juice of one lime.
4. Add salt to taste.
5. Enjoy!