Full disclosure: I love avocados.
Yet let’s not make this emotional statement cloud any judgment.
These days I’m coming across messages regarding avocados being ‘so bad’ for our plant ever so often. Recently, there were some TV shows with remarks that we’d soon say goodbye to avocado toasts. And on the same day, I’ve seen some ads literally shaming people who eat avocados.
So this time I’ve decided to do two things – firstly, I wanted to follow the money trail and make some research who is paying for these anti-avo ads (this will surprise you) and secondly, do my own quick study about avocados and how they impact our health and environment as compared to meat (beef).
OK bomb shell – two of the three different ads which were outlining how avocados cause deforestation were paid for by…. milk brands! I won’t name particular ones, but these are huge names globally.
So, if you want to get an idea of what’s going on, follow the money trail. So now it becomes obvious that avocados are, like the messages about plant-based diet being deficient, simply rhetoric that is being spread by businesses who still want people to drink milk and eat meat.
Secondly, let’s actually get to the bottom of the argument – are they really that bad for us re health and also the wider environment?
Here is a detailed comparison of avocados vs. beef (specifically beef meat) based on three key areas: environmental impact, health implications, and other characteristics.
🌍 1. Environmental Impact of Avocado vs Red Meat
| Factor | Avocado (per kg) | Beef (per kg) |
| Land use | ~1.5 m²/kg | ~27 m²/kg (pasture-raised beef may be higher) |
| Water use | ~2,000 liters/kg | ~15,000 liters/kg |
| Greenhouse gases | ~1.5–2.5 kg CO₂-eq/kg | ~27–60 kg CO₂-eq/kg (depending on farming method) |
| Deforestation risk | Moderate (in Mexico & Latin America for export farming) | Very high (especially in Brazil due to pastureland clearing) |
| Transport emissions | Often transported long distances (e.g. Mexico to EU) | Local production possible, but often high carbon intensity |
Summary of avocado vs red meat:
Beef is vastly more resource-intensive than avocado in every major metric. Even though avocados have come under scrutiny for water use and deforestation, beef’s environmental footprint is significantly higher, over x10 times in many aspects.
🥗 2. Health Benefits and Disadvantages
| Category | Avocado | Beef |
| Main nutrients | Healthy fats (monounsaturated), fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin E, antioxidants | High-quality protein, iron, B12, zinc, creatine |
| Cholesterol/Heart | May lower LDL and improve HDL cholesterol | May raise LDL; processed/red meat linked to heart disease |
| Cancer risk | None | WHO classifies processed meat as carcinogenic, red meat as “probably carcinogenic” |
| Weight control | High fat but satiating; may aid weight management | High calorie density; may contribute to weight gain if overconsumed |
| Digestibility | Easy to digest | Slower to digest, especially red or fatty cuts |
Summary of avocado vs red meat:
Avocados support heart health and are rich in micronutrients and fibre. Beef provides key nutrients like iron and B12 but is linked to higher health risks if consumed frequently, especially processed or fatty cuts.
🧩 3. Other Characteristics
| Aspect | Avocado | Beef |
| Shelf life | Short when ripe; prone to spoilage | Long shelf life when frozen or preserved |
| Culinary flexibility | Eaten raw or cooked; widely used in plant-based meals | Used in grilling, stewing, roasting, high-heat cooking |
| Ethical issues | Farming conditions (water use, land rights, monoculture) | Animal welfare, antibiotic use, factory farming |
| Cultural value | Strongly associated with Mexican and health-focused cuisine | Central in many cuisines globally, especially Western |
| Export economy impact | Important export for countries like Mexico, Peru | Major commodity globally, esp. for US, Brazil, Australia |
✅ Bottom Line
| Category | Avocado | Beef |
| More sustainable? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Healthier overall? | ✅ Yes (especially for heart and digestion) | ❌ No (if overconsumed or heavily processed) |
| More ethical? | ✅ Typically yes | ❌ Often associated with animal cruelty |
Here is a summary of comparison between avocado vs red meat (beef) in a simple infographic you can save and share:
While both foods can be part of a balanced diet, avocados clearly outperform beef on environmental and health metrics when consumed mindfully and sustainably.
Check our my other posts regarding Flexitarian Diet here or follow my Stories about food and restaurant business here.
By Dito
Restaurateur. Wine Expert & Educator (dipWSET). Flexitarian Chef. Senior Marketer. Entrepreneur.
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