I Was Shocked a Dietitian Told Me to Add This 1 Ingredient to My Overnight Oats For Weight Loss

Avocado? At first thought, it sounded way too weird. But then I realised I add avo to my smoothies and smoothie freezer packs, I use it in place of butter for baked goods, and it makes a delicious healthy frosting for cupcakes.

Leslie said healthy fats are essential for weight loss because they "keep us full and satisfied since they are digested slower than carbohydrates." Avocados are one of the foods she recommends clients include to help with weight loss. They're not only great sources of healthy fats, but they also offer fibre, which adds to the satiating feeling.

One-quarter of an avocado is 91 calories (which is about one tablespoon) but offers 4.3 grams of filling fibre. For comparison, one tablespoon of peanut butter (another popular overnight oats ingredient to increase healthy fats) only offers 1.5 grams of fibre and is 100 calories.

Aside from healthy fats and fibre, Leslie said, "avocado adds nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for your eyes."

On its own, avocado has such a mild flavour that I could hardly detect it in my jar. That's because the other flavours I added to my overnight oats, including mashed banana, cinnamon, maple syrup, and berries, are what my taste buds focussed on most. And it didn't really look as green as I thought it would (not like when I add spinach!). What I did notice was that my overnight oats had an extra creamy texture. Bonus!

The added fibre definitely helped me stay fuller longer, as long as I also included protein in my jar, as Leslie recommended. As I'm a huge fan of eating an avocado a day, this was a unique way to get a little 'cado in my diet.

I also felt calmer because I was able to meal prep four jars at one time using one ripe avocado. I mashed the avocado at the bottom of the jar with some banana and cinnamon, then added chia seeds, rolled oats, Ripple Milk, some chopped pecans, and a touch of maple syrup. It was nice knowing I could grab a jar when I was hungry and didn't have to take extra time to make and clean up after my lunch. All I needed was to wash a few berries to add to the top, and I was done!

The extra fibre was also great for my digestion, which helped me feel and look less bloated. With all these health benefits and the extra creamy texture, I'm a huge fan of avocado in my overnight oats. Try it tomorrow morning and see for yourself!