When we think of 'heathy eating' we typically lean towards eating more fruits and vegetables. But, does eating healthy necessarily mean eating more fruit and veg? Well, in the most part this is true. Here, we shall explore that eating more fruit may not necessarily be better for us.
Fruit is typically the favourite food choice over vegetables and it simply comes down to its natural sweet taste. Fruits do contain many benefits but also have many draw-backs.
Benefits of fruit:
Fruit provides nutrients, most common is vitamin C.
Fruit is rich in antioxidants, which help to maintain a healthy body and immune system.
Fruits contain natural nutrients which can limit the risk of developing certain cancers.
Fruit is good source of fibre, which is essential for a healthy digestive system.
Fruit tastes great and makes a healthy unprocessed snack.
Draw-backs of fruit:
High in sugar. Yes, it's better than processed sugars, but it is still sugar none-the-less. (One apple has about 20g of natural sugar).
Indigestion. If eaten in large quantities, or if you have a sensitive digestive system, fruits can cause indigestion and a feeling of being bloated.
High in carbohydrates. Like sugar, it is loaded with healthy carbohydrates. But, too much fruit means too many carbs, which can lead to weight-gain.
Best ways to have fruit:
Aim to eat fruit in the morning, especially for breakfast or a midmorning snack. This way we get all the essential nutrients and fibre, but it also it allows time for our bodies to use the sugar and carbohydrates, avoiding that potential weight-gain.
Eat only two portions of fruit a day. It is recommended that we consume 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Aim for two fruits and three vegetables to get the maximum health benefits.
Eat two different fruits each day. Every fruit contains many different nutrients necessary to keep out bodies healthy. Having different types of fruit each day with vary and maximise the overall health benefits.
When it comes to fruit, a good rule to follow is, 'too much of a good thing can be a bad thing'. While fruit offers us many health benefits, there can also be several drawbacks to consuming large amounts or overindulging. Little is better!
