5 Cholesterol-Busting Avocado Recipes

5 Surprising Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol with Avocados!

By What To Eat

Published Jan 13, 2015

Although fat is beginning to lose its bad name as a dietary villain, many still have a hard time shaking the negative connotation and shy away from high-fat ingredients in favor of lower-calorie and less nutrient-dense foods. While it’s still smart to limit or avoid foods, like butter, that are high in saturated fat, we should be reaching for good fats like nuts, olive oil, and, our all-time fave, the avocado.
While it may seem counterintuitive to fight high cholesterol with a high-fat food, a recent study from the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed that eating one avocado a day as a part of a moderate-fat diet (with 34 percent of daily calories coming from fat) can help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol, while improving total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. That’s all the convincing we needed to start packing more of its creamy goodness into our meals!
While we love avocado tossed into a salad or spread on toast, it’s time to get creative with the ingredient. Here are five new ways to incorporate avocados into your diet and lower your cholesterol while you’re at it!

Banana Avocado Smoothie
Give your smoothie an upgrade by blending in avocado – the creaminess is out of this world! This particular recipe also uses Swiss chard, cucumber, and flaxseed for a nutrient-packed sip with a whopping 24 grams of filling protein.

 Avocado Breakfast Bake
For a morning meal that is sure to impress guests – without putting demands on your schedule or budget – whip up this 3-ingredient recipe from Wellness Mama. The preparation couldn’t be any simpler and you’ll earn major brownie points for taste and presentation.

Avocado Fries
Move over zucchini – there’s a new healthy fry in town! In this easy recipe from Lorimer Street Kitchen, avocado slices are dredged in whole wheat flour, almond milk, and panko bread crumbs and then baked to crispy perfection for a side of French fries you can feel good about eating.

Avocado Mac and Cheese
If you thought mac and cheese couldn’t possibly get any more delicious, think again. The ultimate comfort food gets a nutritious boost in this recipe from Life as a Strawberry, which calls on avocado for an even creamier texture. If you have little ones or picky eaters at the table, this will be our little secret! Since cheese is high in saturated fat, if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol, consider this an occasional treat and enjoy it as side dish.

Avocado Mousse
Processed chocolate pudding is no match for this simple 2-minute recipe from As Easy As Apple Pie. This vegan, dairy- and gluten-free mousse uses avocado for a fluffy, creamy texture that doesn’t alter the taste. Almond milk, cacao powder, and ground chia seeds round out the nutritional profile for a sweet treat without the guilt.