1.    Avocado

OK, this may sound strange. But many people have taken to replacing bacon with avocado. In fact, some families have replaced the famous BLT with the ALT.

So just why has avocado gained popularity?

Not so long ago, the many avoided avocado due to its fat content. But now, avocado has been found to have “healthy fat” and numerous nutritional qualities. This comes with excellent health benefits.

According to the George Mateljan Foundation, avocado is unique in that it can speed up carotenoid absorption. (Plus, it contains them.) Carotenoids are health boosters, but they need a little assistance when it comes to cell absorption. When the carotenoids found in leafy greens and other carotenoid-rich foods are combined with avocado, this increases carotenoid absorption. Add that to the fact that the addition of avocado can improve the conversion of certain carotenoids into vitamin A. Pretty nifty, huh?

Further, avocado has a number of health benefits. Avocado is loaded with monounsaturated fats. In fact, 68 percent of the fat found in a cup of avocado comes in this form. This makes avocado a cardiovascular powerhouse. Avocado is rich in antioxidants, and it has anti-inflammatory qualities.