Healthy Snacks for Fruit Lovers

The natural sugars in fruits can satisfy the cravings of your sweet tooth without negatively impacting your health; so it’s a great idea to always have healthy fruit snacks on hand to keep you satiated when the next snack attack hits. Though fresh fruit is a great choice, it’s not always the most practical option.

Benefits of Eating Fruit

Fruits form a core part of the food pyramid for a reason: they are full of beneficial nutrients that keep your body running optimally. In particular, eating plenty of fruit is a good way to get enough vitamin C and vitamin A. Consumption of fruit is associated with a lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health conditions (Datz, 2013).

More recently, certain fruits have gained attention for their roles as “superfoods.” Blueberries, cranberries, acai berries, and pomegranates contain beneficial phytonutrients that may ward off disease by protecting cells from oxidative damage (Dairy Council of California, n.d.). Eating fruits from across the color spectrum is a good way to ensure that you get the variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals you need.

Optimal Daily Fruit Intake

The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, (2016) has developed recommendations for your optimal daily fruit intake based on your age and sex. In general, men should aim to get at least 2 cups of fruit per day. Women aged 19 to 30 years should also try to eat at least 2 cups, while women older than 30 need 1 ½ cups per day.

So what, exactly, is a cup of fruit? It’s good to make a mental note of what a 1-cup serving of fruit looks like so that you know that you’re eating enough. The following portions are considered 1 cup of fruit:

Importantly, a half-cup of dried fruit is roughly equivalent to 1 cup serving of fresh fruit. This is because fruits shrink as they are dehydrated, losing water weight while retaining valuable nutrients. Thus, it takes less dried fruit to get the same quality nutrition as fresh fruits. Drinking 1 cup of fruit juice is also equivalent to a 1-cup serving of whole fruit. However, many commercial juices are high in added sugars, meaning it is important not to drink too much. Juicing your own fruits can be a good way to boost your daily intake (USDA, 2016).

Nutrients Found in Dried and Freeze-Dried Fruits

Sometimes, it can be a pain to pack whole fruits to eat while on the go. Dribbling juices and bruised fruit skins can make fresh fruits less appealing than other snacks. Fortunately, dried and freeze-dried fruits are excellent alternative snacks for fruit lovers.

During the drying or freeze drying process, excess water is extracted from fruits. However, the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals remain active. Additionally, dried fruits are a great source of dietary fiber. Getting enough fiber is important to facilitate digestive regularity and keep your body satiated after eating your healthy fruit snacks (Campbell, 2015).

Recipes for Fruit Fans

Searching for something a bit heartier than your standard apple slices? Prepare a palate pleasing plate that makes use of your favorite food group with these fruit-filled recipes from our Health Nut and Registered Dietitian.