With such an abundance of diets or, as most people like to call them, lifestyles , it can seem overwhelming, contradictory, and frustrating to find the types of food that are good for you. No matter what sort of diet or eating lifestyle you are drawn to, certain whole foods in particular are both beneficial to your health and essential for your pleasure.

Avocado is colloquially known as the Alligator Pear, reflecting its shape and the

leather-like appearance of its skin. Avocado is a fruit that disguises itself as a vegetable, and is mostly consumed with savory dishes. It is notorious for its amazing carotenoid antioxidant (lycopene and beta-carotene) diversity, which is a key factor of its anti-inflammatory properties. While it is true that avocado is a high-fat food (about 85% of its calories come from fat), the fat contained in avocado is unique and provides research-based health benefits. So, think of it as of

bad . . . but the good kind of bad. Thanks to that “good bad”, avocado helps our system keep inflammation under control, helps our digestive tract absorb fat-soluble nutrients, and even helps lower our risk of heart disease. Needless to say, this buttery, delicate wonder-fruit adds delicious power to every dish.

Do not be afraid of butter . . . and do not settle for any sort of fat-free, low-fat, or—God forbid—margarine substitute. If you