Avocado is everywhere. Prized for its good fats and delicate taste, it has become the symbol of “healthy eating”. But be careful: eating healthy does not necessarily mean losing weight.
Between real caloric intake and confusion about nutrients, the famous nutritionist Jean-Michel Cohen is sounding the alarm on this too often idealized food.
Avocado is a “slimming” food: an error of judgment
This is undoubtedly the most persistent myth. Although avocado is excellent for your health, it is not a fat burner or a light food. Dr. Cohen is clear on this point. “This is a point that we very regularly forget: be careful, it is not at all a slimming food.
As part of a weight loss program, its energy density requires very moderate consumption. The doctor also explains his method. “I use very little of it in the diets I prescribe, whatever they may be. Or when I add it, I try to reduce the fat in the rest of the food.”. Clearly, if you eat an avocado, you will have to be very light on the oil or butter the rest of the day.
“It does not contain omega-3”: watch out for the fake news!
We often hear that avocado is a preferred source of omega-3, in the same way as oily fish or rapeseed oil. For Dr. Cohen, this assertion is pure and simple misinformation.
He vigorously denounces the simplistic speeches made on social networks. “It doesn’t contain omega-3, contrary to what I hear about “influmenters”? Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (omega-9), but it cannot in any way replace real sources of essential omega-3.”.
As the nutritionist further points out, “it therefore does not replace fish, it cannot replace oils rich in omega-3″.
“Food rebalancing” is enough to lose weight with avocado
This is the classic trap: thinking that by eating “healthy” (lots of fruits, vegetables and avocados), the weight will go down naturally. However, excess good fats remain excess calories.
Dr. Cohen highlights this frequent hiatus between theory and the scale. “If it is consumed in excess, that is to say quite regularly, it will slow down weight loss, even if you eat healthily.“. It recalls a fundamental rule of nutrition: to lose weight, quality is not everything, quantity counts.
“It is necessary to organize a calorie restriction”he concludes, recalling that simple rebalancing does not exempt us from monitoring overall contributions.
In short, avocado remains an interesting food from a nutritional point of view, but it must be consumed with discernment. To benefit from its benefits without sabotaging your efforts, consider it as a source of fat in its own right and not as a simple green vegetable.