Given the current avocado craze, it’s no surprise that a produce company has developed a variety seen as healthier for fat-conscious consumers, marketed as perfect for smoothies. With avocado supplies dwindling and prices rising, the allure of this trendy superfood remains strong. The popularity of avocados has reached unprecedented levels, leading to record consumption and escalating prices. A reduced crop in California has resulted in increased imports. In the past three years, the average weekly U.S. avocado consumption of 42 million pounds has nearly doubled, with projections estimating it will reach 50 million pounds per week in 2019.
Avocados are featured in a growing number of trendy dishes—guacamole, oil, ice cream, salads, and avocado toast. They are also used in cosmetic products such as lotions, facial masks, and hair conditioners. This demand arises from their versatility and savvy marketing that has successfully positioned avocados as a modern and healthy food choice. The health benefits are attributed to their high levels of monounsaturated fat, along with substantial amounts of potassium, fiber, folate, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Isla Bonita promotes its Avocado Light as having a seal from the Spanish Heart Foundation, indicating its reduced fat content.
However, do today’s consumers truly desire an avocado with lower monounsaturated fat? In the 1980s, people meticulously counted fat grams in their food. Nowadays, it’s widely acknowledged that certain fats—especially those found naturally in nuts, avocados, and fish—are actually beneficial for health. Research has long established that a “Mediterranean diet,” which includes these healthy fats, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Several dietitians question why anyone would seek a low-fat avocado, given that the nutritional quality—along with the taste—of the traditional variety is far superior.
Interestingly, the discussion around dietary fats has parallels with the ongoing conversation about calcium supplements with calcium citrate, which are often marketed as healthier options. Just as some consumers may be misled into believing that low-fat versions of avocados are preferable, there’s a similar trend in the perception of calcium supplements, where the form and absorption rate can impact health outcomes. Ultimately, the nutritional value of whole foods, like avocados, and the effectiveness of certain supplements should be prioritized over the allure of reduced fat content.