Starbucks Adds Avocado Spreads to Menu, Nutritionist Claims They are Less Healthy than Butter

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Starbucks Adds Avocado Spreads to Menu, Nutritionist Claims They are Less Healthy than Butter
(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Starbucks is adding organic avocado spreads to its menu. Some Starbucks locations reportedly already have the new item, and have been selling the healthy organic avocado spreads for months now. The coffee franchise will transition to have the new avocado spreads in all Starbucks stores.

Those who have tried the organic avocado spreads have had a lot of good things to say about the product on social media. People are adding the avocado spread to everything from multi-grain bagels to turkey pesto sandwiches. Everyone is going nuts for the spread.

The Starbucks’ organic avocado spread comes in a single-serve container that makes a perfect addition to your morning bagel or sandwich for lunch. You can even eat the spread right out of the package. Besides Haas avocados, the spread also contains other organic ingredients such as garlic, lime juice, jalapeno peppers, onion, and sea salt. The product is also labeled USDA Organic.

Are Avocado Spreads Less Healthy Than Butter?

Not so fast Starbucks fans, avocado spreads may not be as healthy as you think. Although they are being marketed as a healthy alternative to butter and margarine, some versions of the avocado spreads may not be that healthy for us, according to nutritionist Caroline Farrell, who is the founder of food clinic Essential Nutrition.

Farrell noted that the unhealthy oils in the dairy-free avocado spread outweigh the good oils and shoppers may be better off with unsalted butter in a Daily Mail report. United Kingdom supermarket chain Tesco launched the first ever dairy-free avocado spread and also a coconut oil spread in 2016. The avocado product hit store shelves after avocado sales skyrocketed, and consumers demanded avocados as a healthy source of fat.

Other grocery store chains would continue the avocado spread trend. However, Farrell had some issues after researching Tesco’s brand avocado and coconut spreads. She says that although the monounsaturated fat in the avocado spread is great for the heart, the unhealthy oils in the spread make up the majority of the product.

Are Avocados Healthy for Us?

In general, avocados should be included in most healthy lifestyles. Avocados are extremely nutritious and contain large amounts of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin K, fiber, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. It also contains smaller amounts of iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3. They also contain more potassium than a banana with far less sugar.

The monounsaturated fatty acid in avocados called oleic acid has also been said to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis symptoms, reduce the risk of cancer, improve weight loss, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eating avocados can also reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and protect the eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration.

At home, avocados can be used to make guacamole, pesto with basil and garlic, and it can also be added to salads or vegetable bowls with cooked mixed greens and sweet potatoes.

Instead of buying an avocado spread, simply mash the avocado with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Almond butter, coconut oil, or clarified butter are other healthy fat sources that are excellent for weight loss, brain health, and an overall healthy lifestyle.

Sources:

Wilkinson, B., et al., “Trendy avocado spreads are ‘less healthy than butter’: Unhealthier oils outweigh the beneficial ones, says leading nutritionist,” Mail Online website, Aug. 20, 2016; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3750007/Trendy-avocado-spreads-healthy-butter-Unhealthier-oils-outweigh-beneficial-ones-says-leading-nutritionist.html.

Elizabeth, D., “Starbucks to Release Organic Avocado Spread at All Stores,” Teen Vogue website, Jan. 8, 2017; http://www.teenvogue.com/story/starbucks-to-release-organic-avocado-spread-all-stores.

Gunnars, K., “12 Proven Health Benefits of Avocado,” Authority Nutrition website; https://authoritynutrition.com/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado/, last accessed Jan. 12, 2017.

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