April 6th, 2009 by admin

Fruits – they’re sweet, they’re sour, they’re healthy, they’re tasty, and they come in a variety of sizes, colors, flavors and tastes. We’ve been told time and again that they’re good for us, that they pack a punch with their nutrients and vitamins and that they’re indispensable for health. But do you know everything there is to know about fruits? Like which ones you need to eat and which you need to avoid when you’re trying to lose weight? If not, read on for a list of fruity facts:

•   You may have heard that if you’re a diabetic you need to avoid fruits that have a high glycemic index (fruits that are too sweet), like pineapples and mangoes. But the fact is that it’s not the sugar content alone that matters in a fruit when your blood sugar levels are high, you also need to consider the amount of carbohydrates it holds. And that’s because both sugar and starch are converted into carbohydrates which make your blood sugar levels swing wildly. Fruits that are rich in sugar may get your blood sugar high more quickly, so it’s best you limit them to a piece or two if you really want to eat them. 
• If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t eat avocados and olives because they have a higher fat content than other fruits.
• As much as possible, go organic when shopping for fruits. It’s more expensive, but you’re saving yourself from the effects of the pesticides that they’re sprayed with. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, strawberries, cherries, peaches, cantaloupes, apples, apricots and grapes find themselves on the list of the 12 most pesticide-contaminated foods.
• Always choose fruits that are seasonal and fresh rather than the canned variety. They’re more nutritious because they retain all their natural goodness.
• Avoid cooking fruits because they lose all their nutrition this way.
• Avoid keeping fruits in your refrigerator for long periods of time. They lose their nutritive value as the days go by.
• It’s better to eat whole fruits rather than crush them into juices because you lose out on the fiber content when you do so. Also, if you’re going to add sugar or any other sweetener to the juice, you’re taking in more empty calories as well. So if you must drink juice, go for the ones that are pure fruit and have no added milk, cream or sugar.
• It’s best to eat fruits when your stomach’s empty rather than after a meal. Fruits are digested faster, so when you eat them after a solid meal, they don’t make for a digestive mix that’s conducive to a healthy stomach. You feel like burping, bloated and may need to visit the toilet too frequently.

Fruits are good for you, no matter their shape, color, taste or size. So eat more of them, today, tomorrow and every day.

About The Author:

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of ultrasound technician school. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

Used With Permission