My Avocado Awakening & Why You Should Eat Your Fruit Skins!
How many times have you found yourself in the kitchen, expertly slicing an avocado, scooping out that creamy, vibrant green goodness, and then, without a second thought, sending the beautiful, textured peel straight to the compost bin or trash? Be honest, we’ve all done it. It’s practically a reflex!
But what if I told you that in that very moment, you might be throwing away a powerhouse of nutrition, a true gift from nature, brimming with health-boosting compounds? What if I told you that the secret to unlocking even more vitality from your fruits and vegetables has been staring you in the face, in the form of their often-discarded skins?
Hold on to your hats, because my recent culinary adventure with a backyard avocado totally changed my perspective, and it all started with a memory sparked by a billionaire and a strangely soft, rubbery peel!
The Whisper of Wisdom: David Murdock and the Sun’s Power
For years, I’ve carried a fascinating nugget of wisdom from an unlikely source – real estate mogul and Dole Food Company chairman, David H. Murdock. You might remember him for his passionate advocacy for health, wellness, and longevity, especially after the profound impact of cancer on his own family. His personal journey, particularly the loss of his wife to cancer, deeply influenced his relentless pursuit of nutritional science and the power of plant-based living.
Murdock champions a philosophy that’s stuck with me for decades: “Anything the sun touches has nutritional value.” He passionately believes that the parts of fruits and vegetables most exposed to sunlight – the skins, the peels, the very outer layers – are where the magic truly happens. These are the plant’s first line of defense, soaking up incredible energy and developing the highest concentration of protective compounds and nutrients. He posits that by consuming these sun-drenched parts, we transfer those vital benefits directly to our own bodies.
He emphasizes that these skins and peels are often particularly rich in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds, known as phytonutrients. Studies have increasingly shown that many of these compounds, believed to help fight against cellular damage and inflammation (both linked to cancer and numerous other diseases), are indeed far more concentrated in these outer layers. By incorporating these nutrient-dense parts into our diet, Murdock believes we can significantly bolster our immune system and provide our bodies with the essential tools they need to resist illnesses like cancer.
To put this philosophy into practice, David Murdock himself famously consumes daily smoothies that incorporate entire fruits and vegetables – yes, including things like banana peels, orange rinds, and pineapple cores! It’s his practical, impactful way to maximize his intake of these “sun-powered” nutrients. His broader advocacy for health centers on a largely plant-based, whole-foods diet, recommending limiting or avoiding red meat, poultry, dairy, processed sugars, salt, and alcohol, focusing instead on the holistic power of nature’s bounty.
I vividly recall hearing (or reading!) his strong conviction that in some fruits, the skin holds a staggering 95% of the nutrients, while the pulp, the part we typically eat, contains only a mere 5%! Imagine that – we, as seemingly intelligent humans, have been habitually tossing away the lion’s share of the good stuff!
My Backyard Avocado Awakening: A Delicious Experiment Begins!
This philosophy was simmering in the back of my mind just a few days ago, right here in Diamond Bar, California. I was preparing dinner, and as I picked up a beautiful, homegrown avocado from my backyard tree, something felt different. This particular avocado had a unique, almost soft and rubbery texture to its skin. As my fingers explored its surface, a thought, seemingly out of nowhere, popped into my head: “Why can’t we eat avocado skin?”
It felt like a revelation! I’d never even considered it before. A quick Google search later confirmed my hunch: avocado skin is indeed edible! (Of course, always remember to thoroughly wash any produce, especially the skin, before consuming it!). This discovery was, for me, a game-changer!
That very night, my kitchen transformed into a laboratory of deliciousness. My dinner plate became a vibrant symphony of backyard freshness: I chopped that homegrown avocado, skin and all, tossed in some pungent green onions also from my garden, squeezed in a zing of fresh lemon, sprinkled on some savory yeast flakes for that umami kick, and finished it with a dash of Tabasco.
The verdict? Absolutely delicious! The avocado skin, far from being bitter or tough as I might have imagined, added a unique, slightly chewy texture and a surprisingly deeper, earthier flavor that complemented the creamy flesh perfectly. It wasn’t just edible; it elevated the entire dish!
The Ripple Effect: Inspiring a “Peel Revolution”!
I was so incredibly excited about this culinary triumph that I immediately recorded a short video and shared it on our “Raw Foodiest” WhatsApp group. And then, the magic truly happened!
Dr. Shrenik Shah, a respected member of our group, was so inspired by my little experiment that he decided to try it himself! He later posted a picture of his own avocado-skin creation, reported that he loved it, and even shared a treasure trove of fascinating information about the incredible nutritional value packed into avocado peels. To say I’m delighted is an understatement. From now on, those precious avocado peels are staying right where they belong – in my bowl!
Beyond Avocado: Embracing the Full Spectrum of “Peel Power”
This avocado experience has solidified a truth I’ve heard echoes of for years: we’ve been inadvertently tossing away a treasure trove of nutrients! It reminds me of a conversation I had with Asmita Shah just recently about juicing. I enthusiastically encouraged her to try cantaloupe juice – with the skin! Why? Because, much like the avocado, the rind of a cantaloupe is reportedly packed with a phenomenal amount of nutrients – some sources even suggest that 95% of the fruit’s beneficial compounds reside in that often-discarded skin!
Imagine! We are often throwing away the very parts of our produce that are densest in vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other vital phytonutrients – the plant’s protective armor, soaked in sunshine and bursting with life-giving properties.
Your Turn: Join the Peel Revolution!
So, what does this mean for your kitchen? Before you instinctively toss that peel, consider this: many fruit and vegetable skins are not just edible, but incredibly beneficial! After a thorough wash (always, always wash your produce!), consider giving a second thought to:
- Apple skins: Packed with fiber and powerful antioxidants.
- Potato skins: Rich in fiber, iron, and potassium.
- Cucumber peels: Full of antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin K.
- And yes, Avocado skins! (Just ensure they’re well-washed and from a trusted source.)
Of course, always research specific produce to ensure edibility and proper preparation. But the message is clear: it’s time to embrace the “peel revolution” and unlock the full, incredible potential of our fruits and vegetables. Our bodies, our health, and even our planet will thank us for it!
What fruit or vegetable peel are you going to try eating next? Share your “peel discoveries” in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to waste less and nourish more!
–Axay Shah
Raw Food Guru
RawFoodiest.com
