MyPlate Recipes Featuring California Avocados

You may have heard the MyPlate recommendation to “Make half your plate fruits and vegetables,” and findings from a recent consumer survey from the International Food Information Council shows that more than four out of five people are trying to achieve this goal by making an effort to eat more of these important food groups.

Why is it important to include colorful produce in our meals and snacks? The USDA-developed Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables because they contain essential nutrients, are associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases and, when prepared without added fats or sugars, are relatively low in calories.

Family-Friendly MyPlate Avocado Recipe Ideas

While often thought of as a vegetable, California Avocados are a fruit and can easily help you and your family meet recommended daily servings from the MyPlate fruits group. With their versatility and delicious taste, it is easy to include California Avocados in your favorite dishes to help meet daily fruit and vegetable needs.

Here are some quick and easy MyPlate recipe ideas to get you started:

Avocado Breakfast Bruschetta

This satisfying recipe provides ¼ cup from the MyPlate fruits group and ½ cup from the MyPlate vegetables group in each serving.

Grilled Chicken and Avocado Pilaf

This colorful and flavorful time-saving dish is made with frozen chicken or can be prepared with rotisserie chicken available at your local grocery store. Each recipe serving provides 1/2 cup from the MyPlate fruits group and 1/2 cup from the MyPlate vegetables group.

Avocado, Potato and Grilled Chicken Salad

Fresh California Avocado with Colorado red potatoes, chicken, and a lemon-yogurt dressing are a winning combination for this main-dish salad that offers ¼ cup from the MyPlate fruits group and 1 ¼ cup from the MyPlate vegetables group.

MyPlate Tools and Tips 

There are a variety of tools and tips online to help you and your family make healthy food choices and stay active every day.

Such as:

• Ten Tips to Liven Up Your Meal with Vegetables and Fruits
• The MyPlate Kids Place for kids and parents with games, videos and songs
• SuperTracker, a free food and physical activity tracking tool, to find out what and how much to eat based on your individual needs as well as track foods and physical activities, and reach your personalized goals with virtual coaching and journaling

Get other delicious recipes featuring California Avocados now to help make half your plate fruits and vegetables.