Avocado: A Vegan Toddler's Friend

I didn't discover the wonder of avocado until I was in my 30s. What a shame that I missed out on all that yum for so many years.


Unlike most foods I offer my toddler, avocado is almost always eaten with gusto. And how happy am I that he's loading up on Vitamin K & B6, fiber, potassium, and folate? Very happy. Happier still that he's getting all that cancer-fighting oleic acid and carotenoid lutein.**

Here are a few ideas for introducing avocado to your vegan kiddo:

• Avocado Boats: cut ripe avocado in half, remove pit and scoop green flesh out with a spoon while sitting outside in the sunshine (it's better than ice cream!)

• Avocado Roll-ups: spread flour tortilla with Tofutti cream cheese and avocado, slice into 1/2 inch strips and roll

• Avocado Sammiches: toast bread or bagel and top with avocado (add tomato, sprouts and other fresh veggies if your little one is agreeable)

• Avocado Smoothies: add 1/4 of an avocado to your favorite smoothie recipe to add a nice creamy texture

• Avocado Dip: make a spice-free guacamole (just avocado, tomato, lime juice and pinch of salt) for dipping pita or veggies

• Avocado Pudding: try this recipe (sans the cayenne) from Dog Hill Kitchen for a sweet treat

If it looks like your family is enjoying their avocado adventures, there's more fun to be had if you save a pit and grow your own tree from it!


** Nutritional data taken from The World's Healthiest Foods