Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog: Food Network's Healthy Eats: Healthy Recipes, Weight Loss Tips & Nutrition Information

Replace regular mayo with a creamy, avocado-based sandwich spread.

We’ve told you how to enjoy avocados these 5 basic ways—but here are 5 more creative ways you can use them in recipes. Which will you try?

Avocado Halves
Although the fat in this recipe slightly exceeds our Healthy Eats guidelines, it’s the heart-healthy, unsaturated type. Since fat takes longer to digest, this low-calorie snack will help keep hunger at bay.

Recipe: Avocado Boats

Tostaditas
A fun spin with a Mexican flare, these crowd pleasing tostaditas have fewer than 50 calories each.

Recipe: Avocado and Corn Tostaditas

Smoothie
Avocados work magically in smoothies by adding a smooth and creamy texture.

Recipe: Go-Green Shake

Stuffed Potato Skins
These amped-up potato skins have it all: broccoli, Canadian bacon, cheddar, and avocado cream—and for only 180 calories each.

Recipe: Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Potato Skins With Avocado Cream

Mayo
Replace artery-clogging mayo on your favorite sandwich with this avocado-based spread. It’s also a perfect accompaniment to sashimi or a tasty dip for rice crackers.

Asian Avo “Mayo”
(Photo and recipe courtesy of  Cheryl Forberg on behalf of Avocados from Mexico)
Makes 3/4 cup
Start to finish: 10 minutes

1 ripe Hass avocado, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons warm water
2 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons chopped pickled sushi ginger
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a small jar and refrigerate. Keeps refrigerated for 2 days.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby’s full bio »