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A Can Of Strongbow Dark Fruit Is Less Calorific Than An Avocado

A Can Of Strongbow Dark Fruit Is Less Calorific Than An Avocado

The avocado is a favourite among the health-conscious but is packed with calories

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

By now you are well into the post-Christmas slump of self loathing and guilt about the sheer amount of food and booze you have managed to consume over the past few days.

Many of you are no doubt planning your 'New Year new me' promises, which often involve a new diet. And one superfood that will almost certainly make an appearance on your healthy shopping list will of course be the avocado.

The green ball of goodness has long been a favourite among the health-conscious who just can't get enough of putting it in almost everything, whether it be cakes, coffees, or burgers.

Basically, people love it and can't stop banging on about how good it is for you.

Or is it?

Well, according to reports, the Slimming World diet plan claims an avocado is 'worse' for you than a can of Strongbow Dark Fruit.

The plan, which promotes a low fat diet, allows its subscribers 15 Syns per day, and apparently an avocado is worth massive 14 Syns, while the can of cider is just 9.5 Syns, according to the Daily Record.

PA

This does not mean you should go and order a crate of cider. Do not do that. Please, do not do that.

The high rating is down to the amount of monounsaturated fats it contains, which help maintain keep cholesterol levels down, but also means an average avocado contains over 300 calories.

And while a can of cider contains fewer calories - just 229 per can - they offer little in the way of nutrition but do have a fair bit of sugar.

Dietitian Victoria Taylor wrote on the British Heart Foundation website that the fruit should be part of a balanced diet.

She wrote: "If you want to eat avocado regularly, you will have to think about the rest of your diet a bit more carefully.

"At around 150kcal per half an avocado, compared with around 20kcal for a similar amount of broccoli or a small orange, their energy contribution must be taken into consideration if you are trying to reduce your weight.

"An 80g portion counts towards your 5-a-day and contains vitamins, minerals and fibre. The type of fat in an avocado is mainly unsaturated (specifically, monounsaturated), which, when eaten in place of high-saturated-fat foods, can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels."

A Slimming World spokeswoman told the Mail : "While avocados contain some beneficial nutrients - including healthy fats - they are a high-fat food and an average avocado can contain up to 300 calories, so they make weight loss more difficult.

"Members enjoy between five and 15 Syns a day, and they choose how to use them to suit their lifestyle. So while one day they may prefer to choose avocado, on another day they may prefer a piece of chocolate, a packet of crisps or indeed a cider.

"This means their consumption of high-calorie choices is naturally limited. Instead, our members successfully lose weight by focusing on the filling power of Free Food - without guilt or restriction."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, World News, UK News, Interesting