Avocado Nutrition Facts

Heart Healthy and Delicious

From Debra Manzella, R.N., former About.com Guide

Updated February 19, 2010

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

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Heart Healthy Avocado

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Looking for help with your type 2 diabetes meal plan? Need help finding nutrition facts for avocados? If you're trying to add a little variety to your diet and need to keep your blood sugar levels down, look no further than an avocado.

Despite the avocado's reputation as a calorie-laden, high-fat vegetable, it has no cholesterol. The avocado is a source of healthy fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. It also will not spike your blood sugar, even though it does have carbohydrates. The glycemic index, which uses a scale from 1 to 100 (higher numbers indicate foods that raise blood sugar higher and faster than foods with lower numbers), rates the avocado with a glycemic index of less than 15. So it is a great addition to a diabetes meal plan.

The avocado is filled with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C and K, as well as folate. And don't forget the fiber. Avocados are a good source of that, too. It's a beneficial nutrition choice, whether sliced into a salad or mashed into guacamole. So go ahead. Add some delicious variety to your diabetes meal plan.

_{*Watch portion sizes if following a low-calorie diet.}