Which Dried Fruits Are The Healthiest?
Dried fruits are without a doubt a great source of nutrients, energy, and fiber. If you’ve been thinking of incorporating dried fruits into your diet, here are some of the healthiest you should consider.
· Dates that are a great source of potassium, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.
· Figs which are a good source of natural sugars, are high in fiber and also contain potassium, antioxidants, calcium, and magnesium.
· Prunes, also known as dried plums are rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin K, and do contain antioxidants and natural compounds that are effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
· Raisins which are rich in antioxidants, potassium, and iron and contain natural sugars instrumental in providing your body with a quick burst of energy when you need it.
· Dried apricots which are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, iron, and calcium.
While dried fruits are healthy, it is recommended that you consume them in moderation as they are high in calories and sugars.
Is It Healthy To Eat Dried Fruits Daily?
So long as you eat dried fruits in moderation, they can be a healthy addition to your diet owing to the fact that they are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals. However, it is important to note that while these nutrients have several health benefits, dried fruits also have a high concentration of natural sugars and calories. What this essentially means is that if you overeat them, you stand a high chance of gaining weight and experiencing digestive discomforts such as bloating and gas.
If you are a fan of dried fruits and wish to include them in your daily diet, it’s recommended that you go for unsweetened varieties without added sugars or preservatives. Consequently, you can eat them together with other foods such as yogurt or nuts with the goal of balancing their sugar content and adding more nutrients to your meals. Most importantly, eat dried fruits in moderation as you do not want a situation whereby you overconsume sugars and calories.
How Do Organic Dried Fruits Compare Nutritionally To Fresh Fruits?
Whether you prefer organic dried fruits or fresh fruits purely boils down to personal tastes and preferences. While organic dried fruits are indeed a convenient and nutritious snack option, we must state that they do have some nutritional differences compared to fresh fruits. If you’ve been curious about the two, here are some key differences to keep in mind.
1. When you dry fruits, water content is removed making the dried fruit have a higher concentration of nutrients compared to fresh fruits. In essence, a serving of dried fruits have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants when compared to the same serving of fresh fruits.
2. Dried fruits also tend to have a high concentration of sugars and calories compared to fresh fruits.
3. Dried fruits have a low water content compared to fresh fruits which essentially makes them less filling and less satisfying. The result is that you are more likely to consume a large number of dried fruits compared to fresh fruits hence contributing to weight gain.
4. When you dry fruits, their fiber content is reduced and we all know that fiber plays an integral role in digestive health and promoting a feeling of fullness.
With that said, both dried fruits and fresh fruits have nutritional benefits and should form part of a healthy and wholesome diet.