Vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. You can't beat fresh produce for supplying these vital nutrients to your body. Despite their well-known health benefits, low cost and minimal prep, many people do not meet their minimum suggested servings of fruit each day.
Whether it is fresh, frozen, or dried, fruit is the original grab and go snack.
Make the most of your fruit choices, opt for whole fruit rather than juice. Sweeten your day by making sure that you fit in at least 2 servings of raw fruit each day.
As you select your fruits for the day, try to choose a variety of colors to ensure you are getting a range of vitamins and minerals in your diet.
Sources of Vitamin A - orange fruits such as mangoes, cantaloupe, apricots, and red or pink grapefruit.
Sources of Vitamin C - citrus fruits and juices, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, strawberries, papaya and guava.
Sources of Potassium - bananas, many dried fruits, honey dew melons, cantaloupe, oranges and orange juice.
Fit fruit into your meals or snacks to maintain good health and reduce the risk of disease.
Top salads with apples, mangoes, or berries. Enjoy a yogurt at breakfast topped with with pineapple, kiwi fruit, or bananas. Try a new fruit once a week, such as pomegranates, prickly pear, star fruit, lychees, or dates. Make it a habit to eat fruit as a sweet ending to your dinner meal.
*If you are a diabetic, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor or dietitian to help you choose fruits that meet your specific needs.