Ah, the avocado. With its creamy, buttery texture and nutty flavor, the popularity of this fruit (yes, technically it’s a fruit, not a veggie) has skyrocketed in the past few decades.
And with good reason.
Dubbed by the Washington Post in 2015 as “America’s New Favorite Fruit”, the avocado is not only delicious, but rich in nutrients, heart-healthy, and may even help to prevent cancer.
From the infamous Millennial “Avocado Toast” to dark chocolate truffles, this little nugget of gold is popping up everywhere.
But just like the stock market, with avocados, timing is everything – and keeping avocados fresh at home can be particularly tricky.
If you’re an avocado lover then you know the elation of cutting into a perfectly ripe avocado, the devastating bitterness (literally and figuratively) of jumping the gun, and the defeat you feel when you think you’ve found the ideal specimen only to discover mushy, stringy brown flesh inside because you’ve waited just a day too long.
So how do you keep your avocados fresh? In times of desperation, people turn to community, and the internet is rife with advice on how to work with this finicky fruit – but it isn’t always good (or safe).
Enter TikTok. One online personality claimed she had finally discovered the secret to how to keep avocados fresh by storing them submerged in cold water in the fridge. She insisted this trick would keep them fresh for up to one month. Viewers saw her slice into an avocado she had been storing this way for weeks, revealing the bright green flesh inside.
The crowd went wild, and the TikTok avocado hack officially went viral. Then the FDA stepped in.
Turns out, this viral hack to keep your avocados fresh isn’t as easy and safe as it seemed.
“The FDA does not recommend this practice,” they told Newsweek. “The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens (i.e. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, etc.) that may be residing on the avocado surface may potentially multiply during the storage when submerged in water.”
As a weight loss coach who recognizes the value of this superfood for sustainable weight loss, my clients eat A LOT of avocados. In fact, these smoothie recipes with avocado are some of my most popular recipes because they taste amazing, include protein to keep your energy levels high, and burn fat like crazy.
So, as an avocado lover, how do you keep avocado fresh? Here’s the best way:
How to keep avocado fresh:
- Keep ripe, uncut avocados in the produce drawer in the refrigerator
- After slicing, keep the skin on the unused half
- Keep the pit intact in the unused half
- Press plastic wrap directly on the flesh and store it in the fridge
This method of keeping avocados fresh should allow them to last up to 2 weeks when stored whole and 2 days after slicing when stored correctly in the fridge.
By the way, while you’re waiting for an avocado to ripen, keep it on the counter at room temperature. Refrigerating the avocado before it’s had time to ripen can affect its taste or texture when it eventually does ripen.
Why avocados are a big part of my online weight loss coaching
As a weight loss coach who has helped women lose over 40 pounds, I always include avocados in my clients’ food plans. My weight loss programs are built on teaching women how to add delicious foods and spices to their diets that boost metabolism, give them energy, and help them shed unwanted pounds – all without exercise.
Here’s why I recommend adding avocado to your diet:
They taste good
A big part of my philosophy on food is that it should taste good. Who wants to eat bland, boring, tasteless diet food to lose weight? That’s a surefire way to sabotage long-term, sustainable weight loss. Finding tasty food you love to eat that’s also good for you is possible – my weight loss programs prove it. (Hint: Avocados make a great substitute for butter when baking)
They’re good for you
As mentioned previously, avocado is a superfood. Why? Although avocados are high in calories, they’re packed with nutrients, are a rich source of antioxidants, and have been found to be beneficial for your heart and gut.
They keep you full
Because avocados are high in fiber and healthy fat content, adding half of an avocado to your diet daily can help keep you feeling satiated. Research shows that following a dietary pattern rich in fibrous foods, like fruits and vegetables, may help support weight loss. And thanks to the versatility of the avocado, it’s easier than ever to incorporate it into your diet.
The serving size I recommend is 1/2 avocado, which is one serving of healthy fat. With more than this, I’ve seen my clients intake too much fat over the course of the day, resulting in weight that is stuck and will not move.
Now you know how to (safely) keep avocado fresh but remember – don’t follow nutritional advice from unqualified strangers on the internet, and definitely don’t try the Pink Sauce.
Want more simple weight loss strategies? My 8-Week Slim Down Jumpstart personal weight loss coaching has everything you need to lose 20-40 pounds and is tailored directly for busy, successful women who want a shortcut to losing weight. Come join our online community, get support and accountability, and start living in the body of your dreams!
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