How Many Grams Of Fat Are In Avocados

halved avocado on table

Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/Getty Images Avocados are the highest fat fruit in existence, with the exception of the coconut. Most of the fat in an avocado comes from a heart-healthy type of unsaturated fat, whereas most of the fat in a coconut is saturated. There are several varieties of avocados. The fat content of avocados varies depending upon type and where it is grown.

  Advertisement
 
Types
   
pile of avocados

Image Credit: prwstd/iStock/Getty Images Avocados differ in qualities such as appearance and size. The California Hass avocado, sometimes marketed as “Haas,” is the most popular type of avocado in the United States. It has a pebbly, brown-black skin. The larger, pear-shaped Fuerte avocado is fairly common outside of the U.S. and has a dark green skin. The Hass avocado weighs in at about 8 ounces while the Florida variety may grow to be as large as 5 pounds. Florida avocados are lower in fat and calories than Hass avocados but do not have as rich of a flavor.

  Advertisement
 
  Video of the Day
  
Hass Avocado
   
Haas avocados on tree

Image Credit: Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Getty Images Haas avocados have a very nutty, rich, creamy pale green fruit. A 100-gram serving of raw California or Hass avocado provides 167 calories and 15 grams of fat, 2 grams saturated fat and 13 grams of unsaturated fat. There are two types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are healthier and are found in foods such as oils, nuts, seeds, olives and other foods. The majority of the fat in a Hass avocado, about 9.8 grams, is monounsaturated.

  Advertisement
 
Florida Avocado
   
Florida avocados on tree

Image Credit: microgen/iStock/Getty Images Florida avocados have a bright green, smooth, thin skin and are usually teardrop shaped. This is only a very general description as there are more than 56 different varieties of Florida avocados, according to the University of Florida. A 100 gram serving of an average raw Florida avocado provides 120 calories and 10 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated and 8 grams unsaturated. Like Hass avocados, over half of the fat, or roughly 5.5 grams, is monounsaturated.

  Advertisement
 
Monounsaturated Fat
   
sectioned avocado

Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/Getty Images According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, total fat intake should be between 20 and 35 percent of total calories. On a 2,000 calorie diet, 30 percent calories from fat would be 65 grams. Additionally, the DGAs recommend that most fats come from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados and vegetable oils.

  Advertisement
 
Health Benefits
   
sliced avocado

Image Credit: NadiaCruzova/iStock/Getty Images According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats may help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels in your blood; thus reducing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. In addition, they help to develop and maintain your body’s cells. Most food sources of monounsaturated fats, such as avocados, are high in vitamin E, an antioxidant nutrient. This is beneficial because most Americans do not consume enough of this vitamin.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, California
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, Florida
    
      Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Fats
    
      American Heart Association: Monounsaturated Fats
       




  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, California
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, Florida
    
      Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Fats
    
      American Heart Association: Monounsaturated Fats
    




halved avocado on table

Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/Getty Images

pile of avocados

Image Credit: prwstd/iStock/Getty Images

Haas avocados on tree

Image Credit: Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Getty Images

Florida avocados on tree

Image Credit: microgen/iStock/Getty Images

sectioned avocado

Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/Getty Images

sliced avocado

Image Credit: NadiaCruzova/iStock/Getty Images

      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, California
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database: Avocado, Raw, Florida
    
      Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Fats
    
      American Heart Association: Monounsaturated Fats