Sunday, February 3, 2013

More Calories In Fruit Than What You Might Expect

By Darnell Visini


Fruits are widely acknowledged by dietitians to be a healthy food rich with vitamins, minerals and energy. They have a generous amount of vitamins A and C plus potassium. They have low fat. Fruits are also a good source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and reducing the risk of bowel cancer. Their water content is high (80 percent or more), aiding personal hydration. Some folks seem to think there are zero calories in fruit. Not quite; fruits have some calories but the count is relatively low.

A few figures may help to clarify the issue. Although different sources report different calorie amounts for the same fruits, their figures are generally consistent and can serve as a reliable guide. Single blackberries, cherries and grapes have a negligible calorie count of one to three. Apricots, kiwifruits, mangoes, peaches, pears and pineapples have a calorie count of 30 to 50. At the highest end of the scale, the calorie count in oranges, apples, grapefruit, bananas and avocados varies from 60 to 150.

Although these figures may seem high, they are in fact comparatively low. One serving (scoop) of plain vanilla ice cream (no topping) has a calorie count of 260 compared to a calorie count of about 100 in a standard cup of freshly cut fruit salad.

All the above calorie figures are miniscule compared to the nutritional value provided by fruits. It is relevant to be mindful of the calorie count in fruits. But limiting intake based on this concern would be inappropriate.

Many menu planners suggest eating a minimum of two and as many as four individual servings of fruits daily. A subsidiary benefit of eating fruits is that they help serious calorie counters to manage their appetite. This benefit results from the high fiber content of fruits. Fiber produces a feeling of fullness in the stomach which limits food intake. One diet strategy is to consume fruits before a regular meal so as to control overeating higher calorie foods.

Most nutritionists suggest eating at least two and up to four servings of fruits each day. The high fiber in fruits helps people to control their appetite (food intake) by producing a full feeling. As a result, some dieters eat some fruits before they take their normal meal. In this way, the risk of overeating is reduced.

The consumption of fruit juices raise requires some caution. Pure and fresh juices are very popular way but if the pulp of fruits is not consumed with their juice, the dietary fiber in them is largely lost. Another point is that bottled or canned juices are typically high in sugars and therefore have a big calorie count. Hence, pure juices are strongly preferred by dietitians over bottled or canned juices.

Fruits are an excellent food source, high in nutritional benefits and low in calorie costs. The calories in fruits are relatively trivial compared to the nutritional benefit they provide and compared to the calorie count of other foods. Eating fruits (and vegetables) is a good way to control weight gain. They are a vital component of a balanced and healthy diet plan.




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