When I was a kid, my favorite snack was dried fruit. Whether it was apricots or raisins, I loved to savor their sweet, chewy goodness. While fresh fruit is delicious and nutritious, dried fruits also have plenty of health benefits and can be a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without indulging in processed sugar-laden snacks. But what are some of the best dried fruits to buy? Which ones offer the most nutritional value? Here’s everything you need to know about this healthy treat!
Dried apricots are a good source of fiber, iron and potassium.
Apricots are a good source of fiber, iron and potassium.
- Fiber: Apricots contain 1.8 grams of fiber per cup. This is about 8 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and 11 percent for men. Fiber helps keep you full longer so you’re less likely to overeat at mealtime or snack time!
- Iron: Iron is essential for energy production in your body’s cells as well as red blood cell formation–so if you don’t get enough, you could become fatigued easily! Adults should aim for 8 milligrams (mg) per day; apricots have about 0.4 mg per serving–about one-third of your daily requirement.* Potassium: Potassium helps regulate muscle function throughout your body by maintaining fluid balance within cells.* There are lots of great dried fruits options out there! Blueberries offer many benefits similar those found in fresh blueberries such as antioxidants which help protect against disease processes associated with aging
and helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Plus, they’re a great source of fiber, vitamin C and manganese. Manganese is important in bone development and function as well as healthy blood sugar levels.
Blueberries are also a good source of copper and magnesium. Magnesium helps maintain healthy bones and teeth, supports nerve function and is important for muscle relaxation. Copper helps support normal iron absorption in your body as well as bone health.* Berries can be eaten alone or added to other dishes such as salads, yogurt or oatmeal!
Cranberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and manganese. Manganese is important in bone development and function as well as healthy blood sugar levels. Cranberries also contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals that can cause disease.*
Cranberries are a good source of copper and magnesium. Copper helps support normal iron absorption in your body as well as bone health.* Berries can be eaten alone or added to other dishes such as salads, yogurt or oatmeal! Raspberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and manganese. Manganese is important in bone development and function as well as healthy blood sugar levels. Raspberries also contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals that can cause disease.*
Dried blueberries offer many of the same benefits as fresh blueberries.
Dried blueberries are a good source of fiber, iron and potassium. They also don’t need to be refrigerated like fresh or frozen berries do. This makes them ideal for travelers who want to take their favorite snack with them on road trips or plane rides.
Dried blueberries offer many of the same benefits as fresh blueberries: they’re rich in antioxidants; they contain the same vitamins (C, K) as well as manganese and copper; they provide vitamin A in small amounts that may help improve eye health; they may help reduce blood pressure levels when eaten regularly over time
; and they may have anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, dried blueberries are easy to carry with you when you’re on the go. They don’t need to be refrigerated, which means they won’t spoil if you forget them in your car or backpack.
Another advantage of dried blueberries is that they’re much less expensive than fresh or frozen berries. You can get a large bag of dried blueberries for around $7 and it will last for months. You’ll also save money by making your own snack mixes with dried blueberries rather than buying them at the store already mixed with other ingredients. Blueberry-flavored cereals are popular among kids and adults alike, but many don’t realize that these cereals contain very little actual fruit and are loaded with sugar. By making your own snacks with dried blueberries, you can control how much sugar goes into each serving.
Dried blueberries are also a good source of fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol levels and regulate bowel movements. They contain copper, which is important for bone health and brain function; manganese, which is essential for the production of collagen and elastin; potassium, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure levels; calcium, which supports healthy bones and teeth; magnesium, which is necessary for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels; iron, which may help you maintain energy levels throughout the day; folic acid (also known as vitamin B9), which plays an important role in brain development during pregnancy;
Dried pears have a sweet and chewy texture that makes them a favorite snack food for kids.
Dried pears are a good source of fiber, iron and potassium. They also contain vitamin C, calcium and vitamin A. In fact, dried pears have more nutrients than their fresh counterparts!
Dried fruits are rich in potassium which helps lower blood pressure by reducing fluid retention in your body. They also contain more iron than some other dried fruits like raisins or apricots (1). This makes them great for athletes who need an extra boost!
Dried pears are also a good source of fiber. They contain between 3 and 5 grams of fiber per serving! This is an important nutrient because it helps you feel full after eating and may reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease and diabetes (2).
Dried pears are also a good source of potassium and vitamin C. One serving contains about 450 mg of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by reducing fluid retention in your body (3). They also contain more iron than some other dried fruits like raisins or apricots. This makes them great for athletes who need an extra boost!
Dried pears are also a good source of fiber. They contain between 3 and 5 grams of fiber per serving! This is an important nutrient because it helps you feel full after eating and may reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease and diabetes (2). Dried pears are also a good source of potassium and vitamin C.
One serving contains about 450 mg of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by reducing fluid retention in your body (3). They also contain more iron than some other dried fruits like raisins or apricots. This makes them great for athletes who need an extra boost! Dried pears are also a good source of fiber. They contain between 3 and 5 grams of fiber per serving! This is an important nutrient because it helps you feel full after eating and may reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease and diabetes (2).
Dried mangoes are rich in vitamin C and fiber.
Dried mangoes are rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can fight off free radicals in your body. Free radicals damage cells and cause aging. Dried fruits are full of antioxidants, so they’re great for your skin.
Dried mangoes are also high in fiber, which helps you digest food better and keeps you feeling full longer. This means that if you eat dried mangoes instead of fresh ones, they may help keep your weight down!
Dried mangoes are also good for your digestive system. They contain pectin, which is a soluble fiber that helps keep things moving through your colon and prevent constipation. Dried mangoes may also help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood by binding with bile acids and carrying them out of the body.
Dried mangoes are also good for your heart. They contain potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by balancing out the amount of sodium in your body. Dried mangoes are a good source of vitamin C, which helps keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis.
They’re also good for your brain. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C helps prevent cognitive decline and improves memory.
Dried mangoes are a good source of vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy eyesight. They’re also high in fiber and potassium, which helps prevent constipation and heart disease. Finally, dried mangoes can help you lose weight by keeping you full longer than fresh fruit does.
There are lots of great dried fruits to choose from, so you can be sure you’re snacking on the best dried fruit options out there!
Dried fruits are a healthy snack option. They’re convenient, portable and easy to store in your bag for whenever you need a little pick-me-up. Dried fruit is also high in fiber, iron and potassium — making it an excellent source of vitamins A, C and E!
You can eat them alone or add them to recipes for an extra burst of flavor (like this delicious recipe).
But dried fruit isn’t just a tasty snack. It also has some serious health benefits that make it a smart choice for your kids’ lunchbox. Here are five reasons to include dried fruit in your child’s diet:
1. Dried fruit contains essential nutrients Dried fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron and potassium. It also contains small amounts of calcium, magnesium and zinc — which are all important for healthy growth and development.
2. Dried fruit is low in sugar and calories In comparison to fresh fruit, dried contains less sugar and fewer calories. This makes it a great snack option for kids who have a sweet tooth — especially those who are overweight or obese. It’s also lower in sodium than some other salty snacks like chips or pretzels.
3. Dried fruit is portable and easy to eat Because dried fruit is lightweight and portable, it’s a great snack choice for kids who are always on the go. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter — you can pack dried fruit in lunches all year round! Plus, since it’s easy to chew and swallow, dried fruit makes an easy-to-eat snack option for kids who are learning how to eat independently. 4. Dried fruit can boost immunity
