Tips on Choosing Fruit
Fresh fruit is always emphasized as one of the
healthiest things we can eat as it provides
potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and folic acid.
Eating fruit whole or sliced is the most
nourishing way to consume it; the fiber in the
fruit slows the absorption of fructose and
prevents blood sugar spikes, leaving you feeling
fuller, longer. There are a lot of packaged goods
like fruit leathers and bars that claim the
health benefits of fruit, but check the
ingredients to see what’s really going on: even
the organic ones usually have tons of sugar.
Better to buy fresh fruit and keep it simple and
nutritious.
Check to see what grows locally, there may even
be fruit trees in your neighborhood that you can
ask to harvest. In seasons where there is no
local fresh fruit, buy from the closest point of
origin you can find. For example, New Zealand or
Washington apples? Well, Washington is far but
New Zealand? I’m not going to buy fruit that had
to take a cruise just to get here!
Keep the purchase of citrus and tropical fruit to
a minimum, just for treats, unless of course you
live in a place where those things grow (lucky)!
Those fruits had to travel an awfully long way to
reach the store, think of all the oil that was
used... My exceptions to this rule are lemons and
limes; the Santa Fe brand puts out organic lemon
and lime juice with no added ingredients or
preservatives, which are great for recipes that
call for large amounts of juice. For every day
use, however, a fresh lemon or lime to squeeze on
our food adds a lot of flavor and vitamin C.
Also, the rind has a potent citrus flavor and can
be grated and included in dressings, baked goods,
and sauces.
Green on a Shoestring:
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