With the summer season upon us, our choices of delicious, fresh, and local produce will grow. With all of the anti-carb hoopla out there, I hear many with impressions of “good” and “bad” fruits.
I am happy to tell you that there is no such thing as a bad fruit. All fruits are excellent sources of important vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. All fruits also contain carbohydrate, which provide our bodies with energy, and they are naturally fat-free and low in calories*. Each serving of fruit is about 60 calories, compared to the 80 calories found in servings of other carbohydrate foods.
Serving sizes may vary depending on the fruit. Here are some examples of what constitutes one serving of fruit:
4 oz. apple or pear
½ grape fruit
1 cup berries (any type)
10-12 large grapes
½ cup pineapple
1 cup cubed melon (any type)
Substitute fresh fruit for an unhealthy dessert. It will satisfy that post-dinner sweet craving with less calories and lots of nutrition benefit.
*The only exception to this is avocado. While it is considered a fruit, it is mostly comprised of fat. The good news is that it is comprised of healthy monounsaturated fats that are actually good for us. Because of the high fat content, it does contain more calories than other fruits, so watch the portions. A recommended serving would be approximately 1/6 of an avocado.