Avocado is one of the few primary foods able to make claims for levels of folate which may be beneficial during pregnancy, says Lisa Yates consultant dietician for the Australian Avocado Industry.

The claim that can be made for the fruit is wordy, but worthy, she says.

'Women of child-bearing age need to consume at least 400 micrograms of folate per day at least the month before and three months after conception. A diet rich in folate including avocado may reduce the risk of foetal neural tube defects. Half an avocado contains 59 micrograms of folate, 15 per cent of the required amount,” says the claim approved by Food Safety Australia and New Zealand Food standards code.
However, research among Australian doctors found that 64 per cent didn't think avocado is an important source of folate and 29 per cent didn't know the fruit contained folate.
Questions asked at a dietician's conference in May 2013 showed they know green leafy vegetables are a source of folate, but few knew avocados are as well.
'In fact, avocado is the other green vegetable that contains folate, but tastes better. Avocado is important for mums and bubs; and avocado is a great first food for babies since low fat diets are not suitable for under-twos.”
However, Lisa says in January 2013 FSANZ gazetted a new standard for high level health claims for neural tube defects, changing the word folate to folic acid.
'Avocados will no longer be able to make the claim after January 2016, so we need to raise the awareness of folate in avocado now. After January 2016 we can use the general level health claim around the importance of folate during pregnancy.”
To help raise awareness of the health benefits of avocado, Australian Avocados has organised a number of events and trade exhibits aimed at fitness professionals, doctors and dieticians, who have the ability to influence the diets of their clients. A survey before and after the events shows those professionals had a better understanding of the benefits of avocados, including that they can be part of a weight loss diet.
The 'Daily Spread” blog on the Australian Avocado website covers a range of weekly topics, and more scientific-based blogs for health professionals are also posted. A review of toddler snacks available in supermarkets with nutritional analysis, and showing why avocado is the better snack, received wide attention from a group Lisa calls 'mummy” bloggers; women who have regular blogs online which attract a strong following.