Key Takeaways
- Guacamole is an avocado-based spread enjoyed as a dip or spread.
- It combines ripe avocados, tomatoes, onions, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. It may also pack some heat—but you don’t need to add a spicy pepper if you don’t want to.
- Guacamole contains nutritious ingredients and can be a healthy addition to your meals and snacks.
Guacamole is a nutrient-dense Mexican dish.
The star of the recipe is fresh, ripe avocados that contain satiating fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential micronutrients.
It’s a highly versatile dish that can be eaten as a vegetable and chip dip or spread onto sandwiches and wraps.
You can buy premade guacamole at the store or make one at home in less than ten minutes.
Keep reading to discover the nutritional benefits of guacamole, and try making some by following our three recipes.
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Is Guacamole Healthy?
Although there is little literature on guacamole and its health benefits, the bright green avocado-based dip contains nutritious ingredients, which means it can be a healthy addition to meals and snacks.
An authentic guacamole is light on ingredients and lets the staple ingredients (avocados and lime juice) shine.
However, a modified version that includes tomato, onions, and spicy chili peppers is more commonplace in the United States.
In the U.S., you’ll find most guacamole recipes call for:
- Ripe avocados.
- Fresh lime juice.
- Fresh jalapeño.
- Fresh cilantro.
- Finely diced tomatoes.
- Finely diced onions (red or sweet varieties).
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Other guacamole variations include fresh garlic, different types of chili peppers (like serrano peppers), and ground spices.
Guacamole Nutrition Facts
The nutritional value of guacamole varies depending on the types (and amounts) of ingredients used to make the dip.
Below are the nutrition facts of popular guacamole brands (30g servings or about two tablespoons).
Overall, these three products are relatively comparable, with slight variations in the salt content.
They’re not especially high in carbohydrates, fiber, or protein but instead offer monounsaturated fats—a type of fat linked to positive health outcomes, like lowering cholesterol and supporting overall heart health.
Also, avocados, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro contain vitamins and minerals, and veggie-rich guacamole offers vitamin C, folate, niacin, potassium, and magnesium.
Benefits of Eating Guacamole
There are several benefits of eating guacamole. Researchers have identified four benefits of eating Hass avocados (one of the world's most widely available types of avocados).
- Contributing to lowering cholesterol levels.
- Aiding with weight management.
- Improving cognitive function in older people, although more research is needed to validate these findings.
- Nourishing gut microbiota in the colon that supports overall digestive health.
The positive effects of avocados have been linked to the unique ratio of fats within the fruit.
It has a high level of unsaturated fats and oleic acids, which support the health-promoting actions listed above.
Avocado fruits also contain antioxidants like polyphenols that support overall well-being by reducing systemic inflammation and supporting heart health.
Your dietitian can tell you how much avocado and guacamole to consume daily.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Eating Guacamole?
There are no significant health concerns linked to eating guacamole.
However, the high-fat content in guacamole could aggravate symptoms of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Also, avocados are considered a high-FODMAP food, which may exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in some people.
We wouldn’t call these “drawbacks,” but here are some things to consider when making and eating guacamole:
- Can you easily find ripe, ready-to-use avocados?
- Do avocados fit in your grocery budget?
- What will you pair with your guacamole?
Eating deep-fried tortilla chips with guacamole occasionally is OK, but try to choose fresh vegetable sticks or whole-grain crackers for daily snacking.
They’re lighter and offer more fiber and essential nutrients.
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3 Healthy Guacamole Recipes
Here are three healthy guacamole recipes you can make this week. All recipes yield two to three servings.
1. Fresh and Easy Guacamole
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork, or combine them with mortar and pestle.
- Two small, ripe avocados, cut in half and peeled.
- ⅓ cup diced red onion.
- A handful of cherry tomatoes, diced.
- ½ fresh jalapeño, diced.
- Two tablespoons of chopped, fresh cilantro.
- The juice of two limes.
- Pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
2. Curried Guacamole
A South Asian-inspired guacamole recipe that uses yellow curry powder and ground spices.
- Two small, ripe avocados, cut in half and peeled.
- ½ cup of sweet onion, diced.
- One teaspoon of yellow curry powder.
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin.
- Two tablespoons of chopped, fresh cilantro.
- The juice of two limes.
- Pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
3. Mediterranean Guacamole
Do you like tomatoes and olives? You’ll love this Mediterranean-inspired guacamole.
- Two small, ripe avocados, cut in half and peeled.
- ¼ cup of sliced green olives.
- ¼ cup of sliced sundried tomatoes.
- One tablespoon of crumbled feta cheese.
- Two tablespoons of chopped parsley and basil.
- The juice of two lemons.
- Pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Incorporating Guacamole into a Healthy Meal Plan
Guacamole is a creamy, tangy dish that adds brightness to any meal or snack.
Here are some easy ways you can add guacamole to a healthy meal plan:
- Use it as a spread on wraps and sandwiches.
- Serve it alongside eggs and whole-grain toast for breakfast.
- Enjoy it as a dip for fresh vegetable sticks.
- Make a layered dip with beans and salsa.
- Serve it as a side at lunch and dinner.
You can freeze guacamole in an airtight container for up to three months. After thawing, it will be ready to eat, but you’ll need to give it a good mix.
Takeaway
Guacamole is a delicious, healthy recipe that can add flavor and creaminess to your dishes.
Traditional guacamole uses ripe avocados and fresh lime juice.
For more flavor and nutrients, consider adding other ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and fresh cilantro. Spices and other aromatics (like fresh garlic) can also be added.
There isn’t much literature on the health benefits of guacamole.
Still, there is evidence that avocados can support your heart health and weight management, nourish gut bacteria, and possibly aid with cognitive function in older people.
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How a Dietitian Can Help
A registered dietitian is a nutrition expert and licensed healthcare professional.
At Nourish, dietitians offer comprehensive nutrition counseling to help you achieve your health goals.
At your first meeting, your dietitian may review:
- Your current food and beverage intake.
- Your dietary and taste preferences.
- Other lifestyle habits that contribute to your overall health (level of physical activity, smoking or non-smoking, etc.)
Based on this data, they’ll build a personalized nutrition care plan to help you achieve your goals.
If you want more support, you can use the Nourish app and stay connected with your dietitian between visits.
It’s a secure platform where you can share progress updates, look up meal plans, and stay accountable.
Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish now.
Do you have any of these insurances?
Frequently Asked Questions
A guacamole recipe features avocados and other nutritious ingredients, like tomatoes, onions, lime juice, and fresh herbs.
Many people consider guacamole a healthy dish that can be enjoyed as a dip or a spread.
You can eat moderate amounts of guacamole every day if you wish.
Pair it with nutritious sides, like fresh vegetable sticks or whole-grain pita bread.
Guacamole is an avocado spread rich in unsaturated fats.
Some promising research shows that eating avocados can support heart health, weight control, and cognitive function in older people.
It may also nourish gut bacteria to help maintain a robust digestive system.
