Hass Avocados can help you meet the requirements of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, can serve as a component of a diet that helps keep your heart healthy and may even help with your weight management. Read more to find out how:

Take Your Heart's Health to Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there is plenty you can do to help prevent it.

A healthy diet, physical activity and not smoking are three key ways to keep your heart strong and healthy.

The American Heart Association recommends a diet that is low in saturated fat (less than 7% of energy), trans fats (less than 1% of energy), cholesterol (less than 300mg per day) and sodium. Avocados have 3.5 grams of mono- and polyunsaturated fat combined and just 0.5 gram of saturated fat per 1 oz. serving. They are naturally free of sodium, trans fats and cholesterol, making them a great fruit to help meet heart-healthy eating recommendations.

The Skinny on Avocados and Weight Management

If you're on a diet or want to drop a few pounds, avocados are alright to incorporate into your diet. Losing weight requires eating fewer calories than you burn off. A 1 oz. serving of avocados contains 50 calories, so you can easily fit them into a calorie-reduced eating plan. Just look for ways to substitute avocados for foods that do not deliver lots of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. You may find that the rich, creamy texture of avocados makes your resolution to eat healthier easier to follow.

The Lowdown on Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2005 20.8 million Americans — seven percent of the population — have diabetes. Diabetes is, however, largely preventable and controllable through medical treatments and a healthful lifestyle.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is essential to helping prevent type 2 diabetes — the most common type. Make your calories count by choosing high-quality foods from the different food groups. One-fifth of a medium avocado, or about one ounce, has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 beneficial nutrients, 3 grams of carbohydrates and no sugars to one's diet.