Are fruits bad to eat? Is it too high in sugar and cause weight gain? I get asked this question all the time in my office. Here are my answers:
- Fruits are high in nutrition. Besides vitamin C, fruits have carotenoids, folate, potassium, fiber, vitamin K, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
- Low in calories. Fruits are mostly water (85%) unless it’s dried fruit so it’s a low calorie treat. Nature’s sugar is much better than restricting fruit followed by eating processed sweets.
- Inexpensive. If you eat seasonally, your fruit will be inexpensive. If you want blueberries all year long (which by the way isn’t good for us), then it gets expensive.
- Convenient. Fruit as a snack is so easy to pack.
- Physical health. Studies show that those who consume more fruit have fewer instances of heart attack and strokes and potentially also improve the aging brain.
- Eating over drinking. Eating fruit is more satiating for the body than drinking it; therefore, we don’t over-consume.
I hope that clarifies the fruit war. Moderation is always your best friend. Eat seasonally and aim for organic when possible (for you, the planet, and farmers).
If there are changes you’d like to make in your stress level, eating habits, exercise, and overall health and happiness, start with a free health consultation at www.HappyFoodHealth.com or (619) 876-2655. See if this is the right match for you. I do things very differently to make health a natural lifestyle and this is not for everyone. Check out Yelp for other people’s opinion of Happy Food.
~ Samantha Hua, Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, San Diego, CA
