Dried fruits are one of the most convenient snacks around, but they can also be one of the most confusing. There are so many types of dried fruit out there! Which ones should you buy? How do you know which brands are best? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best dried fruit for your needs.
Ripe and Flavorful
When you’re shopping for dried fruit, it’s important to look at the color and texture of each piece. The best dried fruits have a bright color that indicates they are ripe and fresh. If the fruit is shriveled or brownish in color, it has probably been sitting on store shelves for too long and should be avoided.
Dried fruits should also be plump and soft to the touch–this means they haven’t been over-dried or stored improperly (which can lead to mold). If you’re buying packaged fruit in bulk bins at a natural foods store or co-op, pick up each piece of dried fruit in question before making your selection; if it feels hard when squeezed between your fingers then it will likely taste dry once rehydrated in hot water; conversely if there’s excess juice coming out from under its skin when squeezed then chances are good that this particular batch wasn’t properly dehydrated either!
Finally don’t forget about taste: all things being equal (including price), opt for brands whose flavors appeal most strongly because we all know how much better tasting things tend ____(fill in blank).
to be when we’re eating healthy!
As you can see, it’s not always easy to tell if a dried fruit is fresh or not–but by following these simple tips you’ll be able to make sure that your choice is always a good one!
High in Fiber
Fiber is a great way to lose weight, because it helps you feel full longer. Fiber can also help with digestion and keep your cholesterol in check. It may even lower blood sugar levels, which makes it an ideal food for diabetics.
Fiber can also help you prevent cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure. It’s also been shown to lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as boost levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber is the kind that helps with digestion, while soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol.
Soluble fiber is found in fruits, vegetables and beans. It helps lower cholesterol by binding to bile acids in the intestine and removing them before they enter the bloodstream. Insoluble fiber can be found in foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, nuts and seeds. This type of fiber passes through your system without being digested
and helps push food through your digestive system.
You can get the benefits of fiber by eating a variety of foods. The USDA recommends that women consume 25 grams of fiber per day and men consume 38 grams per day.
If you’re having trouble getting enough fiber in your diet, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend a supplement or suggest eating more of certain foods that are high in fiber.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for heart health. They help lower cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in your arteries. The best sources of omega-3s are fatty fish like salmon, tuna and trout. Other foods that are high in omega-3s include flaxseed oil, walnuts and spinach.
You can also get omega-3s from fish oil supplements. According to the American Heart Association, most people should consume 1,000 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA per day for maximum benefits.
Low-sugar Fruits
If you’re trying to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet, it’s important to choose fruits with a low sugar content. The best dried fruits are those that have been naturally sweetened by the sun and air, so they don’t get much added sugar during processing.
When shopping for dried fruit, look for those with lower glycemic indices (GI) or glycemic loads (GL). GI measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating carbohydrates; GL takes into account both GI values and serving sizes in order to give you an idea of how many grams of carbohydrates there are per 100 grams of food–so if two foods have the same GI value but one has a lower GL than the other, then it has less overall impact on your blood sugar levels over time.*
The best way I’ve found so far is searching online databases like NutritionData which allow users to search any ingredient by name or category/subcategory as well as providing nutritional information including calories per serving size along with fat content per gram etcetera!
The best dried fruit is one that has a low sugar content, especially if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet. If you’re trying to watch your blood sugar levels, it’s important to choose fruits with a low glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL). A good way to measure this is by searching online databases like NutritionData which allow users to search any ingredient by name or category/subcategory as well as providing nutritional information including calories per serving size along with fat content per gram etcetera!
The best dried fruit is one that has a low sugar content, especially if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet. If you’re trying to watch your blood sugar levels, it’s important to choose fruits with a low glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL). A good way to measure this is by searching online databases like NutritionData which allow users to search any ingredient by name or category/subcategory as well as providing nutritional information including calories per serving size along with fat content per gram etcetera!
Dried fruit is a good source of natural sugar and can help you stay full longer than fresh fruit. It’s also a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Because of their high concentration of sugars and water content, dried fruits can be dehydrating if eaten in large amounts.
Fewer Calories Than Fresh Fruits
Dried fruits are lower in calories than fresh fruits. This is because they contain less water and therefore fewer nutrients, so you can eat larger quantities without worrying about your waistline. You should still check the packaging to see how many calories the dried fruit contains before you buy it though!
Dried fruits are also a good source of fiber which can help you feel full for longer. If you’re trying to watch your weight or lose weight then this is an important factor to consider when choosing which dried fruits will work best for your diet plan.
Dried fruits are great for snacking on if you’re trying to lose weight. They contain less calories than fresh fruit, so you can eat larger quantities without worrying about your waistline. You should still check the packaging to see how many calories the dried fruit contains before you buy it though!
Dried fruits are also a good source of fiber which can help you feel full for longer. If you’re trying to watch your weight or lose weight then this is an important factor to consider when choosing which dried fruits will work best for your diet plan.
Dried fruits are great for snacking on if you’re trying to lose weight. They contain less calories than fresh fruit, so you can eat larger quantities without worrying about your waistline. You should still check the packaging to see how many calories the dried fruit contains before you buy it though! Dried fruits are also a good source of fiber which can help you feel full for longer. If you’re trying to watch your weight or lose weight then this is an important factor to consider when choosing which dried fruits will work best for your diet plan.
Always choose high-quality dried fruits.
Always choose high-quality dried fruits.
- The fruit should be plump and not too dry
- The fruit should be juicy and not too wet, especially if you are using it in a recipe that requires cooking (for example, if you’re making a pie)
- Choose fruits that aren’t overly sweet or sour; add some sugar or lemon juice if necessary to bring out their natural flavor, but don’t overdo it!
- Don’t pick out any bitter pieces; they’ll ruin the whole batch when they start to oxidize during preparation or baking time
You should be able to smell the fruit and know whether it’s good or not. If you can’t tell from looking at it, smell it before buying! If you don’t like the aroma of a particular type of fruit, chances are no one else will either.
If you’re buying fruit at a farmers’ market, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor about the type of pesticide used on the crop. If you’re buying from a grocery store, look for organic options where possible.
If you’re buying fruit at a farmers’ market, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor about the type of pesticide used on the crop. If you’re buying from a grocery store, look for organic options where possible.
