Fruit makes up an important part of our diets, providing fiber, antioxidants and different kinds of vitamins. Here’s how you can eat more of them.
Studies have demonstrated that eating fruit every day can help people prevent different diseases, like heart disease, some types of cancer and obesity. 1 or 2 cups a day are enough to make a difference in your health, yet only 12 percent of Americans follow through with this.
No matter your stance on fruits, odds are you likely don’t eat as much as is recommended. Although most foods contain high amounts of antioxidants and fiber, being really good for your health, they’re not as good as other types of unhealthy foods. No matter how healthy you are, a pear will never ever replace a doughnut or a cake.
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Here are five ways that can help you eat more fruit.
Start eating fruit early
The earlier you start, the easier it’ll be to consume the fruit portions of the day. Try to fit in fruits in your breakfast by adding them to your cereal or by making a fruit salad and accompanying that with a salty dish. If you don’t like to mix sweet and salty, you can try eating some fruit while preparing your breakfast.
Make them visible
It’s easy to forget about fruits when they’re hidden and out of sight. Buy a fruit bowl and keep your fruit in a visible spot, such as having some cut and ready to eat in a Ziploc bag in the fridge. This will make it easier to snack on them since you can eat them throughout your day.
Have them frozen
Frozen fruit makes for a good snack, adding a different taste and texture to your usual fresh variety. And while frozen fruit is nearly essential to a cold and thick smoothie, be careful not to overdo it. Even if you’re drinking a healthy smoothie or juice, these drinks can’t replace the fiber that natural fruit provides. They also tend to contain high amounts of sugar and unnecessary calories.
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Buy the right kinds of fruit
If you’re not a fan of fruit, don’t buy weird kinds or ones that get spoiled quickly. Look for fruits that have a long shelf life and that require minimal prep, like apples, peaches and clementines, that way you won’t find too many excuses not to eat them.
Have them with your sweets
It’s kind of unrealistic to say that you’ll replace all kinds of sweets with fruits, because if you’re craving a doughnut then no fruit on earth will be able to replace that. Avoid having desserts every day and when you do, puree fruits into sauces and syrups that can be added onto ice creams and other sweets. While sweets tend to be bad for you, a portion of fruit will add some taste and will make for a healthier alternative than by adding chocolate sauce or syrup.
