Avocados are one of Prevention magazine’s flat belly diet foods, and for good reason. Avocados are packed with monounsaturated fatty acids, those good-for-you fats that protect you from chronic disease and, according to new research, can help you lose fat, specifically around your middle section.

According to Avacodo.org, the fruit (yes, it is a fruit) contain nearly 20 vitamins and act as a nutrient booster. Avacodos also contain lutein, which is an essential antioxidant that helps maintain eye health as we get older.

Instead of adding mayonnaise, butter or sour cream to meals, try avocado. They contain less cholesterol, calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium. Try spreading avocado on sandwiches or add it to salsa and salads. I  just cut it into slices and sprinkle it with salt and pepper and eat it as a snack.

Try this recipe for Mexican salad which was featured on 30 Minute Meals with Rachel Ray

You need:

2 ripe avocados
3 vine-ripe tomatoes
1/2 sweet onion, sliced
Chopped cilantro, about 2 tablespoons
2 limes
Coarse salt
Extra virgin oil, for drizzling

Cut avocados in half, working around the pit. Separate the 2 halves. Remove pit and scoop out avocado flesh with a spoon. Wedge avocados and pile in the center of a large platter. Seed and wedge tomatoes and arrange around the avocados. Spread sliced onion over platter. Sprinkle platter with cilantro. Squeeze the juice of 2 limes evenly over vegetables. Season with coarse salt. Drizzle platter with oil and serve.