Rice Cakes with Avocado & Tomato
Three ingredients. Three minutes. The avocado and tomato on these rice cakes are one of those pairings that works on every level, the creaminess against the bright acidity, the fat that keeps you satisfied, and 8 grams of fiber packed into a snack you can build faster than you can decide what to eat.
The kind of snack you reach for when three o'clock hits and you need something real, not a handful of whatever is closest.
Ingredients
- avocado 0.5
- tomato 1
- rice cakes 2
Method
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Scoop the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork until smooth and creamy.
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Slice the tomato into thin rounds.
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Spread the mashed avocado evenly onto the rice cakes.
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Top the avocado with the tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve and enjoy!
Keep the toppings separate if you are taking this on the go. Mash the avocado in a small container and pack the tomato slices alongside the rice cakes. Assemble right before eating so the rice cakes stay crispy.
The avocado in this snack does more than add flavor. Research found that adding avocado to tomato-based food boosted lycopene absorption by 4.4 times. The fat acts as a carrier for the pigment, helping your gut pull more of it from the tomato into your bloodstream.
Unlu et al., 2005 · DOIBehind this recipe
Is 16 grams of fat too much for a snack?
Not even close. This snack is 233 calories total. The fat comes from avocado, a monounsaturated fat source that research consistently links to better body composition outcomes. A pooled analysis of over 40 trials found that dietary fat does not uniquely cause fat gain. Total calories determine that.
Read the full evidence reviewHow does this fit into a low-carb day?
18 grams of carbs from the rice cakes, with 8 grams of fiber from the avocado. A pooled analysis of 5,192 participants found that carb quantity did not determine fat loss on its own. This snack gives you a filling break without using much of your daily carb budget.
Read the full evidence reviewCan I use a different base instead of rice cakes?
Whole wheat crackers, toast, or even thick cucumber slices all work. The avocado and tomato pairing is what matters. If you choose something without crunch, skip the portability tip.