Add a little comfort to your plate with these avo recipes

Fortunately for South Africans, winter and avocado season go hand in hand. When temperatures drop, people naturally gravitate toward hearty meals and satisfying ingredients. Avocados tick both boxes beautifully.

Creamy, versatile and packed with goodness, they have long earned their place on the plates of health-conscious eaters. Whether dark-skinned or green-skinned, smooth or bumpy, large or small, avocados have received the seal of approval from dietitians as a source of nutrients that can be enjoyed daily, in moderation, as part of a healthy and balanced eating plan. Winter also happens to be the season when supporting the body’s natural defences becomes top of mind, and avocados can play a valuable role here too.

Avocados are a source of fibre (5.3 g fibre per 100 g), which contributes to optimal gut health. This matters because gut bacteria help regulate the immune system and protect against invading pathogens that cause disease. In fact, more than 65% of the body’s immune system “lives” in the gut.

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Avocados are also high in copper (33%), and this nutrient, together with the antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene, supports, maintains and regulates immune function. Avocados also help keep you fuller for longer, making mindless snacking less tempting. They may help restore a healthy winter glow to dull skin, support brain function so you feel sharper and more focused, assist with energy levels and better sleep, and thanks to their flavour and folate content, can even help boost your mood. Warm up with a Baked Chicken Curry with Avo Crema or bring a fresh take to the table with Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Avo and Lemon – two delicious reasons to make avocados part of your winter menu.

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