MISSION VIEJO, California, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Aguacates Frescos-Saborea Uno Hoy^® proudly joins forces with the American Heart Association to challenge Americans to commit to healthier eating. Starting today, National Eating Healthy Day, and throughout the month, there will be bilingual activations around the country integrating the goodness of healthy avocados to encourage families to add one extra cup of fruits and vegetables, which is two servings, to their daily diets. It is estimated that if Americans ate the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, approximately 39,900 deaths would be prevented each year from cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes.¹

For U.S. Hispanics, where the family’s well-being is culturally central, National Eating Healthy Day is also an opportunity to emphasize that the foundation to a heart-healthy lifestyle starts in the home and when children are young, still forming their food preferences.

“The American Heart Association recognizes that children who have positive early experiences with fruits and vegetables are more likely to choose and consume those foods later in life,” said Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention and Center for Heath, American Heart Association. “Early exposure to fruits like fresh avocados, already a big favorite for many, can encourage healthy nutrition habits that will carry through to adulthood and help safeguard against preventable diseases.”

“National Eating Healthy Day is a good reminder for Hispanic families that we influence the long-term food choices of our children based on what we serve them when they are still developing their taste buds,” said Sylvia Melendez– Klinger, R.D. “Fresh avocados – soft, deliciously creamy and nutrient-dense – can be a healthy, ideal first food for infants and toddlers and promising gateways to helping children establish nutritious eating patterns across their lifespan.”

Fresh avocados are a Hispanic staple, already enjoyed 1.5 times more often in a Hispanic household than in the general market.² They can be a delicious part of a heart-healthy eating pattern because they contain naturally good fat and are sodium and cholesterol free. Avocados are a good source of fiber and folate and contribute nearly 20 nutrients including vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

The American Heart Association recognizes that avocados can be part of a heart-healthy diet. There are now 25 family-friendly Aguacates Frescos-Saborea Uno Hoy^®recipes available to help make it easier for families to reach the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day. To learn more about the heart-healthy benefits of fresh avocados and explore the gallery of Heart-Check certified avocado recipes, visit SaboreaUnoHoy.com/mascolor for Spanish language or for English, visit LoveOneToday.com/pluscolor.

About the Hass Avocado Board

The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is an agriculture promotion group established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass Avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass Avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Funding for HAB comes from Hass avocado producers and importers in the United States. In 2010, HAB established a nutrition research program to increase awareness and improve understanding of the unique benefits of avocados to human health. For a comprehensive collection of published nutrition and scientific literature, authoritative reports and other articles on or related to avocados, their nutrients and eating patterns that include them, visit avocadonutritioncenter.com. For tips and recipes in Spanish, visit SaboreaUnoHoy.com or in English visit LoveOneToday.com. Follow HAB on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161031/435206