If thereโs one food that youโre likely to find on every breakfast or brunch menu, then itโs definitely avocado toast. Basically, avocado toast is toasted bread thatโs topped with either mashed or sliced avocado and often finished off with toppings like fruits, eggs, vegetables, and other items.
Whether youโre adorning it with sweet or savory toppings, the meal is not only a great way to start the day, but it can also give your health a much-needed boost.
Health benefits of avocado toast
Avocados arenโt just delicious and easy to prepare with your favorite dishes. This fruit is also nutrient-packed, bringing immense health benefits, especially for the busy people of today. Even a health coach and nutritionist will agree that adding this smooth-textured produce and other fresh fruits to the daily diet can help people maintain youthfulness and good health.
Below are the health benefits of avocado toast:
1. Itโs highly nutritious
Thereโs a reason why avocados are seen as a superfood. This is because theyโre high in a number of essential vitamins and minerals that include vitamin D, folate, vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron phosphorus, vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Whatโs more, avocados also contain antioxidants, and these have been linked to some of their amazing health benefits.
2. Itโs great for your vision
As mentioned, avocados are high in antioxidants, and two of these antioxidants are zeaxanthin and lutein – both of which are great for eye health. In fact, research has shown that increased lutein and zeaxanthin intake can help with maintaining overall eye health.
3. Helps with weight management
If youโre looking to manage your weight better, then you might want to include avocado toast in your plan.
For one, a study published in Nutrients referenced a study that stated “subjects who consume avocados had significantly lower BMI, body weight, and waist circumference than non-consumers”
Also, avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and fiber, both of which can increase feelings of satiety and this can help you manage your weight.
4. Great source of fiber
As mentioned, avocado toasts provide a great dose of fiber and this isnโt only great for your weight loss goals, but it also promotes a healthier gut and healthy digestion.
5. Has more potassium than bananas
While people often see bananas as the best source of potassium, avocados are a much better source. Eating avocado toast for breakfast will give you a great dose of potassium and this will help to not only reduce blood pressure, but it can also lower the risk for stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.
6. A heart health boost
Avocados may be loaded with fat, but itโs the good kind thatโs great for your heart.
Monounsaturated fats have been found to significantly lower the risk for heart disease and the American Heart Association even advises that you replace saturated fats with healthier fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – both of which are found in avocados.
Additionally, a study published in The Journal of Nutrients found that one avocado a day can help lower LDL cholesterol in overweight and obese individuals, which is another win for your heart.
So itโs the ultimate breakfast food?
Yes, it is but itโs important to point out that avocado toast can easily go from tasty and nutritious to unhealthy and fattening. This is because some people may opt for topics like bacon, coupled with the fact that some may choose white bread for their toast, and before long, youโve created an unhealthy breakfast brimming with calories.
How to make healthy avocado toast
A basic avocado toast recipe consists of toasted whole wheat bread, covered with either mashed or sliced avocado and some salt or pepper. However, if youโre looking to switch it up and add a few toppings, then we have some suggestions courtesy of Healthline;
- egg in any style (hard-boiled and sliced, scrambled, poached, or fried), sliced tomato, and everything bagel seasoning
- smoked salmon with sliced cucumbers and chives or dill
- sliced strawberries and a drizzle of balsamic glaze
- sliced radishes and arugula with fresh ground pepper
- tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella
- black beans, salsa, and shredded Monterey jack cheese
- crumbled goat cheese and fresh, sliced figs
- red onion, choppedย jalapeรฑo, and corn
- hemp seeds or sunflower seeds with a squeeze of lime
Some of the best healthy beverages to pair with avocado toast include green and avocado smoothies, lemon water, tea, and coffee.
You can make a green smoothie by blending your favorite leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. If youโre looking for a smoothie packed with healthy fats and a perfect avocado toast complement, try an avocado smoothie. Blend avocado, milk, yogurt, and your favorite fruits and vegetables.
Lemon water is another refreshing and hydrating drink that can help strengthen immune defense and improve digestion. You can quickly make this drink by squeezing a lemon into a glass of water. Itโs a healthy drink, perfect for avocado toast.
Regardless of your beverage preference, you can always experiment to find other healthy options that pair perfectly with avocado toast. You can enjoy this delicious breakfast with a healthy beverage to make it even more nutritious.
Takeaway
Avocado toast is a tasty, nutritious, and filling breakfast or snack that gives you the necessary health boost that you need to get through the day. The best part is that itโs not only easy to make, but that there are so many different ways to enjoy its goodness.
Want to know more?
If youโre not a fan of avocado toast, there are other delicious breakfast foods that you can enjoy. In fact, If thereโs one breakfast food that we should all be eating, then it is definitely eggs.
References
Heskey, C., Oda, K., & Sabatรฉ, J. (2019). Avocado Intake, and Longitudinal Weight and Body Mass Index Changes in an Adult Cohort.ย Nutrients,ย 11(3), 691. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030691
Wang, L., Tao, L., Hao, L., et al. (2019).ย A Moderate-Fat Diet with One Avocado per Day Increases Plasma Antioxidants and Decreases the Oxidation of Small, Dense LDL in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.ย The Journal of Nutrition,; DOI:ย 10.1093/jn/nxz231
Wilson, L., Tharmarajah, S., Jia, Y., et al. (2021). The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,ย Advances in Nutrition, Volume 12, Issue 6, Pages 2244โ2254,ย https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab071