Avocados are incredibly versatile and delicious, but there's a catch: they're often rock-hard when you buy them. Like so many shoppers, we inspect dozens in the store, squeezing each one in hopes of finding the perfect ripe specimen. Yet, they rarely stand out.
Don't give up—add them to your basket anyway. You'll be glad you did when that fresh salad or homemade guacamole comes together perfectly. The best part? With proven techniques, you can ripen avocados quickly, often in just a couple of days. Swipe through our slideshow for the details.
Once shunned from slimming diets due to their calorie density, avocados have made a triumphant comeback. While they're not a magic bullet for weight loss, smart consumption makes them a powerful ally. Packed with soluble and insoluble fibers, avocados excel at curbing hunger. A January 2014 study in the Nutrition Journal found that eating half an avocado at lunch reduced hunger by 40% over the next three hours, preventing afternoon cravings.
Season simply with salt, fresh pepper, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar—no added oil needed. For guacamole, swap crème fraîche for fat-free yogurt or soy cream. Avocados also deliver healthy fats that fight inflammation and vitamin E for better circulation, helping combat cellulite effectively.
