Avocado: a buttery treat that benefits your pancreas

Creamy, luscious, buttery-smooth—and it may be good for your pancreas, too. We're talking about the avocado.

Why? In a word: plant-based fats. Research shows that getting more of your dietary fat from plants instead of animals could offer a protective edge against pancreatic cancer.

Don't give up the fat

In a 6-year study of more than half a million people, those with the highest intake of saturated fat—particularly if it was from red meat and dairy sources—had the greatest risk of pancreatic cancer. But here's the good news: People who got most of their fats from plant sources had no increased risk. Start your meal off right with the plant fats in these appealing appetizers.

Fabulous fat substitutes

So how can avocados help you cut back on animal fat? Start by using avocado where you'd ordinarily use spreadable animal-based fats.

Try a few slices of avocado on your bagel instead of cream cheese when you crave something fatty. Or make guacamole instead of ranch dip for your baked chips. Instead of cubes of cheese, fold chunks of avocado into pasta salad.

Even if you focus on plant fats, you will still need to practice portion control, because all fats are high in calories.