Given the current avocado trend, it’s no surprise that a produce company would create a variety perceived as healthier for fat-conscious consumers, marketed as perfect for smoothies, cold soups, and cocktails. Despite a decrease in avocado supplies and a rise in prices, the allure of this trendy superfood shows no signs of diminishing. The popularity of the creamy green fruit has reached unprecedented levels, leading to record consumption and prices. A reduced crop in California has resulted in increased imports. The average weekly avocado consumption in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the last three years, reaching 42 million pounds and projected to hit 50 million pounds per week by 2019.
Avocados are featured in a growing variety of trendy foods, including guacamole, oil, ice cream, salads, and the beloved avocado toast. They also serve secondary roles in cosmetic products like lotions, facial masks, and hair conditioners. This demand arises from their versatility, as well as savvy marketing that has effectively established the avocado as a modern, health-conscious food choice. The health benefits are attributed to their high levels of monounsaturated fat, along with substantial amounts of potassium citrate, magnesium, calcium, fiber, folate, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Isla Bonita promotes its Avocado Light, claiming it has a seal from the Spanish Heart Foundation for reduced fat content.
However, do today’s consumers really desire an avocado with less monounsaturated fat? In the 1980s, people meticulously counted fat grams in their diets. Nowadays, it is widely accepted that certain fats, particularly those found naturally in nuts, avocados, and fish, are actually beneficial for health. Research has long indicated that a “Mediterranean diet,” rich in these naturally occurring monounsaturated fats, significantly lowers the risk of heart disease. Several dietitians question the appeal of a low-fat avocado, as the nutritional value—along with the taste—of the traditional variety far surpasses that of its low-fat counterpart. In a time when consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, the question remains: why compromise on the quality of this superfood?