Should You Start Eating Avocado Seeds?

You’ve seen the viral video. Disembodied hands show you step-by-step how to bake, slice and dry an avocado seed to eat in smoothies and sprinkle on salads. But wait…is this safe?

Before National Nutrition Month ends, I have to share this story. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I spend a lot of time working behind the scenes. Whether I’m writing a new story or answering a last minute call from a reporter, I spend hours pouring through the latest research. A couple weeks ago, I was contacted to comment on the viral video that encourages people to start eating avocado seeds.

Avocados are one of my all time favorite foods. They are creamy, delicious, versatile and packed with healthy fats and other essential nutrients. I’d seen the video but didn’t think it would catch on. I mean… are people really eating avocado seeds? Millions of views later, the questions started coming in. So, I started digging.

[Tweet “Should you be eating or trashing your avocado seed? “]

The nugget of truth: Yes. There’s research to show that the seed contains nutrients and scientists are looking into how extracts from the seed can be used to confer health benefits. On the contrary, the seed may also contain compounds that are unfit for us to eat. Though I wasn’t able to identify exactly what other compounds are in the seed, it’s common knowledge that many seeds contain toxic substances. There’s absolutely no reason to believe that baking and drying the seed will remove those. Why take such a risk? There are plenty of other ways to get the nutrition your body needs.

Check out the full story over on Health.com: No You Shouldn’t Start Eating Avocado Seeds

Bottom Line: Skip the pits for now. Keep eating your guacamole, add slices to sandwiches, whip up an avocado smoothie or try one of my easy recipes below.

Are there other questionable tips and recommendations you want me to tackle? Let me know. Remember, just because the Internet says you should do it, doesn’t mean it’s true. Get the facts. I’m here to help with that! I love it.

For more information on avocados, visit the California Avocado Commission (who also discourages eating the seeds).