Everyday is a Cinco de Mayo celebration when you sip a margarita and nibble on tortilla chips and guacamole. I learned from registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade working with the Hass Avocado Board some fun facts about avocados. Here’s what I learned –

Avocado is a fruit that contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy nutrient-rich food choice. It’s filled with dietary “good fat” that the body needs to help with absorption of nutrients.

Unlike most varieties of fruit, healthy avocados do not contain sugar; they have the least amount of sugar per serving than any other fresh fruit. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, eating vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, and may be protective against certain types of cancers. Avocados help in weight loss and maintenance due to its fiber. Eating avocados offers the feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Loma Linda University discovered that eating half an avocado may contribute to feelings of satiety and reduce the desire to eat between meals.

Chefs are aware of the nutritional benefits of avocado and have created avocado toast as a favorite lunch and brunch dish. Fresh healthy avocado in sandwiches or spread on toast may help reduce intake of calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol.

Here’s a roundup of restaurants in Los Angeles that will have the healthy avocado in their Cinco de Mayo specials and throughout the year:

Casa Vega Seis de Mayo Special
The time-honored 61-year-old Mexican restaurant, Casa Vega invites guests to ease into the day after Cinco de Mayo with a one-day-only “Seis de Mayo” special. Available only on Saturday, May 6, guests who order the signature breakfast burrito made with eggs, refried beans, Spanish rice, guacamole, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese, receive a choice of the Rehab Margarita or Michelada for $19.99. The Rehab Margarita rejuvenating ingredients includes electrolyte-replenishing coconut water, alongside pineapple and lime juice, and agave. The restaurant’s new Michelada is made with Modelo Especial, pressed cucumber juice, and housemade spice blend. This special is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. 13301 Ventura Blvd. (818)788-4868.

Loews Hollywood Hotel’s  offers some great specials at H2 Kitchen & Bar until  May 6. Ancho Chicken Taquitos – Blue Corn, Guacamole, Chipotle Crema $10; Creamed Street Corn – Green Chiles, Cotija $8; Avocado Toast – Guacamole, Smoked Salmon, Bagel Vinaigrette $10; Braised Pork Shank – Artichoke, Black Bean Sauce, Tomato Quinoa, Pickled Onion $20; Crispy Kale Cakes – Green Chile, Potato, Roasted Tomato Salsita $12; Morado Cadillac Mary – Loews Patron Reposado, Grand Marnier, Lime, Chambord $13. 1755 Highland Ave. (323)856-1200.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel’s specials at BarBelle
Enjoy Michelada Marinated Skirt Steak Tacos – Pickled Fresno Chilis, Lime Crema, Cilantro $15; Warm Churros – Delce de Leche, Mexican Chocolate $9; Casamigos Tequila Flight Tasting or a Bucket of 5 Coronas for $28. 1700 Ocean Ave. (310)458-6700.

Cinco de Mayo Taco Night
The Mixing Room at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE celebrates May 5 with $4 tacos all night. Options include a Lechon taco made with the tender meat and crispy skin from a whole roasted pig. Put a dollop of guacamole or slice of avocado. They will also prepare a shrimp taco with roasted poblano, onion, lime, and black garlic. All are served with a selection of house-made salsas. Drinks include a Mexican Mule, a tequila sunrise mimosa, and a selection of beers. Sip one while listening to the sounds of live music from an acoustic band starting at 4 p.m. After 8 p.m., a DJ spins lively tunes until 1 a.m. 900 W. Olympic Blvd. (213)216-3390.

Cinco de Mayo and Derby Day at Manuela – On May 5 come celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Manuela in the courtyard of Hauser & Firth from 4 to 9 p.m. Come in dressed to impress to enjoy a variety of tacos and two margaritas, plus a live mariachi band for $35 per person. The next day, come back in starting at 1 to 4 p.m. on May 6 to enjoy mint juleps, daiquiris, wine, beer and passed food while watching the horse races. Ticket cost is $55 per person and includes food prepared by chef Wes Whitsell, one welcome punch and one mint julep. Prizes are given to those who select the winning horses. 907 E. 3rd St. (323)849-0480.

Fiesta at The Wallace
In Culver City for Cinco de Mayo, The Wallace has put together a fun “Fiesta AF” menu available all night only at the bar on May 5. Choose from five different bebidas at $9 each including Tommy’s Margarita made with tequila, lime, and agave; a mezcal margarita; Paloma made with tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda; Bloody Maria and Michelada. All pair nicely with guacamole. There are four different cervezas at $5 and comidas range in price from $5 to $17.  3833 Main St. (310)202-6400.

Cinco de Mayo at Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
Celebrate early on May 4 and May 5 with a special selection of taco plates and margaritas. The bar is making four unique top shelf margaritas that include Sofia’s Skinny margarita. In the kitchen the chefs are making five different taco plates that include a choice of fish, lobster, spiced shrimp, blackened fish or carne aside tacos with Borracho black beans and red rice. They also are preparing sirloin and black bean chili nachos. On Cinco De Mayo, all locations will offer margaritas at half price. 1733 Ocean Ave. (424)292-5222.

Gracias Madre Cinco de Mayo
All day and night Gracias Madre will serve Cazuela Cocktail for Two made with El Charo Blanco, Mandrine, Lime, Lemon, Yuzu Bitters, and Grapefruit for $20. It pairs nicely with Pinches Nachos Gordos that are loaded nachos with house made chips, black beans, bbq Jackfruit, pineapple salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, nacho cheese, chorizo, coconut Bacon and cilantro. Listen to the sounds of Trio Los Brillantes starting at 4 p.m. The restaurant offers their regular Happy hour $6 specials from 3 to 6 p.m. 8905 Melrose Ave. (323)978-2170.

Shade Hotel Cinco de Mayo – On Friday, May 5, starting at 3 p.m., the Sea Level restaurant is offering Mexican delicacies that include white fish ceviche with leche de tigre, aji Amarillo chili, fresh cilantro and plantain chips, and fresh roasted guajillo salsa. There will also be tequila flights and top-notch margarita specials all night long at the new waterfront Shade Hotel’s restaurant in Redondo Beach. 655 N. Harbor Drive (310)921-8950.

Fleming’s $100 Cinco de Mayo Margarita
Celebrate on May 4 through May 6 at Fleming’s while sipping a one-of-a-kind $100 margarita served in a beautiful Baccarat’s designed Diamant Highball. Guests are welcome to take home this beautiful glass in its iconic red box. The margarita is made with Tequila Herradura, an ultra-premium 100% percent agave tequila, that has been aged for 49 months. Tequila Herradura’s Selección Suprema is an international award-winning tequila providing a complex balance of the finest cooked agave, married with notes of rich vanilla and dried fruit. This tequila with Grand Marnier Centenaries makes a smooth cocktail pairing with one of Fleming’s signature dishes and guacamole. 2301 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo (310)643-6911 and 800 W. Olympic Blvd. (213)745-9911.

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta at Descanso Gardens offers homemade guacamole for their Mexican buffet dinner with a live mariachi performance and dancer Floreo Charro on May 5 at 6 p.m. A selection of dishes include a taco station served with corn and flour tortillas and chopped marinated grilled skirt steak and grilled chicken. There are drunken slow cooked pinto beans with brown sugar, beer and chili; Spanish rice; cheese enchiladas; homemade chicken tamales. Guests can indulge in tri-colored chips to dip in fresh pico de gallo,guacamole, fresh red and green salsas. Finish with churros and caramel flan. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada (818)949-4200.

Parts of this article are featured in The Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News on May 4. 2017