How Many Calories in Avocado

Few fruits have inspired as much obsession as avocados. And, honestly, it's well-deserved; avocado makes toast, tacos, and salads taste way better. The green goodness, which hails from Central and South America, started becoming trendy around the same time people stopped stressing over fat a few years back, says nutritionist Jessica Cording, RD, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. “It’s become more socially acceptable—finally—to eat fat,” she says. Despite the hype, though, there’s a ~little~ bit of confusion about how avocados can be so high in fat (and thus calories, too!) but still good for you. Rest assured, the fats in avocados (called monounsaturated fats) are heart-healthy and may help raise “good” HDL cholesterol and lower “bad” LDL cholesterol,” Cording explains. What's not to love about that?

Avocados are high in fiber, which is also good for heart and gut health,” she adds. Score. There are also so many ways to add this fatty fruit to your plate. “Avocados can be eaten sweet, in a pie with lime and sugar and a chocolate crust, or savory as guacamole and avocado toast,” says nutritionist Sonya Angelone, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. So, no, avocados aren't just another calorie-laden trend (cough cough, acai bowls). There are a few things you should know about though. Here's what the experts say.

Avocado Nutrition Value

One-half of an avocado (100g) provides 160 calories, 2g of protein, 8.5g of carbohydrates, and 14.7g of fat. Avocados are an excellent source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. The following nutrition information is for half of an avocado and is provided by the USDA

• Calories: 160
• Fat: 14.7g