What Happened When I Made Avocados a Daily Habit for 30 Days

It’s hard to get all your necessary nutrients in a single day without the help of supplements. And while supplements are often great, food is still the best way to get your vitamins, minerals, fats, antioxidants, and everything else your mind and body need. Because of this, people started gravitating towards so-called “superfoods.”

Superfood is more of a buzzword than a well-defined scientific term. But it applies to foods that are “rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health,” according to UC Davis. Some common superfoods are blueberries, walnuts, kale, Salmon, olive oil, and avocados.

Avocados, technically a fruit, are one of the superfoods that many wellness icons try fitting into their diets daily. Major celebrities, such as Kristen Bell, Alicia Vikander, Miranda Kerr, and Victoria Beckham, have shared that they eat one or more of the delicious superfood most days.

The reason health-conscious people pack so many into their diets is that they’re packed with over 20 vitamins and minerals that support you from the inside out.

After seeing so many articles about the seemingly endless benefits of avocados, I tried adding them to my diet for 30 days, and I found out that the benefits aren’t just hype. Here’s what I noticed.

1.) Avocados Took Years Off My Face

Sure, glowing beauties like Kristen Bell and Miranda Kerr do more than just eat dozens of avocados each month. But the green fruit is likely a big reason they have beautiful skin. I am in my 40s and suffer from dry, lackluster skin. I’ve always had dry skin. That didn’t just happen in my 40s. But what I did gain recently are fine lines. I want to be clear that there is nothing wrong with aging. However, if healthy hacks help slow the process, it’s beneficial.

After eating avocados consistently, I noticed that my skin had more of a youthful plumpness to it, which buffed out many of my fine lines. I wasn’t as ashy, and my skin didn’t feel as tight and dry. It held onto moisture better throughout the day, and there was a brightness to me.

According to Healthline, avocadosimprove skin because they have healthy doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, and healthy fats. Studies have shown that they also soothe issues like eczema and acne, prevent sun damage, and improve elasticity.

2.) Avocados Helped Me Lose Weight

Up until recently, I had been extremely regimented about working out. But life threw me some curveballs, and I got away from it. Going from super active to barely active led to weight gain.

I’m typically a carb-craver. So I made a pact with myself to eat an avocado smoothie or avocado toast before reaching for the pasta, rice, or chips. That way, I knew I’d get a boost of nutrients before filling up on my comfort food. I wasn’t crash dieting or watching calories. I just added that routine to my days, and I still lost six pounds.

Good RX explains that avocados help shave off extra weight because they’re filled with fiber that curbs your hunger and helps keep you full longer. The good fats also trigger YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which are hormones that tell your brain you’re full. On top of that, avocados may help your body use insulin more effectively, and they help stabilize your blood sugar.

3.) Avocados Helped My Digestion

I’ve always been used to my meals weighing me down. Certain foods just kind of slow me down and make me feel tired as they digest. And I get that “food baby” that people joke about. I noticed that eating more avocados stopped that energy slump and annoying pressure in my stomach. I just felt more comfortable and satisfied after eating. I don’t know if that was because I ate fewer empty carbs and “heavy” food, if the superfood boost made everything run better, or if it was a combination of both.

John’s Hopkins shared that avocados help digestion because just one has 15-20% of the recommended daily value of potassium, which is essential for your digestive system. One whole fruit also contains 10–14.5 grams of fiber, which is about 35%-55% of your daily value. The short-chain fatty acids in avocados reduce inflammation in your gut, as well.

How to Fit More Avocados Into Your Diet

Avocados are an easy food to sneak into your diet. Guacamole is one of the most popular ways to eat the superfood because it’s extremely healthy, but it tastes like junk food. It’s also super easy to make, as this recipe proves.

You can also drink your avocados is smoothies. This tropical tasting smoothie will leave you feeling refreshed, while this one will give you your chocolate fix. Speaking of chocolate, avocados also make the perfect chocolate mousse. And, of course, there are endless combinations for avocado toast.

To store your avocados, leave unripe fruit on the counter for three to five days. Check them periodically by softly squeezing them. If they are slightly soft, they are ripe. Move ripe avocados to the refrigerator for up to five days.

This story’s featured image is by Los Muertos Crew.