Food

More Than One Avocado a Day Really Could Be Too Much of a Good Thing, Experts Say

Avocados are arguably the most popular superfood in recent years, but is it bad to eat too many of them in a day?

Updated

8 years ago

January 5, 2020

First for Women Staff

Closeup of a sliced avocado on a cutting board

There’s no denying that avocados have become one of the most popular food trends over the past few years. The fact that they’re also pretty darn healthy certainly earns the superfood some major points over previous contenders like cupcakes in the early 2000s or everyone’s obsession with fondue back in the ’70s. That said, is it still possible to have too much avocado in your life?

Unfortunately, yes. Despite being packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados really shouldn’t be added to all of your meals throughout the day. For instance, there are people who might enjoy some avocado toast or a smoothie blended with the creamy produce in the morning, a salad featuring avocado pulp for lunch, and a side of guacamole at dinnertime. Although that does sound like an amazing day of food, overindulging on avocados can have the opposite effect of what you’re looking to achieve in the first place.

Let’s break things down with some nutritional information. Data from the USDA states that the average avocado has about 322 calories and 29 grams of fat. As we mentioned, the type of fat found in avocados is the “good” kind, but it can still add up and cause weight gain if eaten multiple times a day, according to MedlinePlus. By being too focused on avocado as your main ingredient, you might also end up neglecting other nutrients your body needs to survive (yes, avocado may be a superfood, but there’s no one fruit that carries every essential nutrient and vitamin).

Studies are still being conducted to learn more about the effects of consuming avocados on a daily basis, but most nutritionists will tell you to keep your limit down to at least one avocado a day. The experts at the Dietitians Association of Australia go even further, recommending you only consume 1/4 of an avocado four times a week — or simply one avocado per week.

Obviously, eating avocado more than once a day or week isn’t exactly the worst thing you can do with your diet. Like any other indulgence, there might be days when you just can’t deny yourself a second helping of avocado. Just remember that moderation and variety are the keys to making sure you’re supplying your body with all the good stuff it needs.