20 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With An Avocado

Avocado has been a staple in my diet for quite some time now. I put it in my smoothies and my salads and use it at just about every meal opportunity that will allow. Forget guacamole or on tacos — I'm talking full-on meals consisting of just avocado, or as I like to think of it, nature's butter. Avocado is considered a superfood in the health community and it's not surprising considering all the vital nutrients it contains like magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous, and vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3. Interestingly enough, avocados even contain more potassium that bananas!

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It really is a miracle food. Avocados contain oleic acid — an extremely beneficial chemical for fighting inflammation, which has been linked to many serious illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Though the monosaturated oleic acid is considered a "heart healthy" fatty acid, it is also very high in fat. So yes, avocado is an incredible healthy food, but you don't want to be eating two to three of these a day — that might be overdoing it a bit.

The Haas avocado is the most popular avocado sold in the United States, although there are hundreds of different types of avocados. Most originate from West India, Guatamala, or Mexico; however, over the years, as the demand increased, many hybrids have been cultivated in the U.S. I prefer the Haas avocado above others, as it has a strong rich flavor and contains 18 to 22 percent oil, while also delivering maximum nutritional value.

Another huge advantage of avocados is their massive amount of protein. These things just keep getting better and better. The protein will help keep your energy levels up through-out the day so lunchtime is a great time to eat them. Get creative and don't be afraid to adjust these 20 recipes for new ways to experiment with your favorite fruit.