I happen to be an avocado-lover. I will happily pay that extra dollar to have a dollop of guacamole added to my taco. I deliberately pick my sushi based on its avocado content, and I impatiently wait for it to ripen at home, so I can add it to my smoothies.
My parents and my in-laws don’t understand my obsession. All have tried it, none are impressed. However, if you do happen to like them, there are plenty of reasons to make them a regular part of your diet.
Although high in fat, avocados are a rich source of the mono-unsaturated kind, so they’re good for your heart. Each avocado also contains four grams of protein, and is rich in plenty of other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B5, B6, and folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. Each avocado also contains more potassium than a banana, and is incredibly fibre-rich. Their high fat content can also lead to increased feelings of satiety, which can help with appetite regulation and weight loss.
There is, however, one danger associated with avocado consumption, and doctors refer to it as “avocado hand”. Due to its thick outer skin, slippery innards, and hard internal seed, avocados can be extremely dangerous to pit and slice. One Calgary, Alberta doctor said he sees roughly one avocado-related hand injury each week, and the damage can be extensive, including severed ligaments, tendons, or bone damage. In the UK, avocado hand injuries have become so common that the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons recommended they have safety labels be put on them.
To prevent the dangerous cuts, puncture wounds, and nerve damage associated with knife slippage during avocado preparation, chefs have made a few suggestions. Firstly, you can put a dishcloth over your hand before grabbing the avocado, for added protection. Even better, you can put the avocado on a cutting board, and slice it there. When it comes time to pit the avocado, use a spoon to scoop it out, rather than attempting to cut alongside it with a knife.
This is not the first time hand injuries have increased alongside the popularity of a particular food. According to Dr. Bhardwaj in Alberta, “we used to see a ton of bagel cutting injuries back when bagels were really popular too.”
So, while I would never discourage the enjoyment of a good avocado, it is important to be aware of potential dangers during preparation. Here is a helpful video showing how to safely cut and prepare avocado slices, so you can enjoy your guacamole without the added trip to the emergency room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_JVQZc1is4.
About the Author: Rebecca Wong has a BA in English Literature from the University of Waterloo and has been working in the herbal business since 2000. She studied at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine under respected authorities Paul Des Rosiers and Vu Le, and graduated from the East West School of Planetary Herbology under Michael Tierra. She received training as a yoga teacher at The Branches in Kitchener/Waterloo, and therapeutic yoga teacher training from the School for Somatic Soulwork under Deniz Aydoslu. She now teaches yoga for anxiety, depression and burnout at Rebecca's Restful Yoga Studio in Toronto.