Fruit Up!

Fruit has been vilified in recent years as having too much sugar, raising blood sugar levels, and promoting type 2 diabetes and weight gain. This might very well be true if you are eating a ton of dried fruit. It might also be true if you are drinking a lot of fruit juice, which concentrates the sugars and increases the caloric density.

What is NOT true is that real, whole, fruit is bad for our health. Real whole fruit, the kind that grows on trees, on bushes, and on the ground (like strawberries and pineapples), contains a bevy of amazing vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Moreover, a growing number of human trials support the prebiotic effects of whole fruit and fruit fiber in promoting a healthy gut microbiome.

The health benefits of eating whole fruits are not limited to improving GI function. They also include long-term weight management, defending against cancers, reducing asthma severity, lowering the risk of depression, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, helping to attenuate autism severity, and promoting successful aging. These are but a few of the many benefits of adding whole fruits to our diets.

Obviously, if you are diabetic or have blood sugar instability issues, you should consult your physician regarding your personal fruit intake. However, if you are generally healthy, see if you can up your fruit game this week.

I eat a ton of fruit. I eat it on my oatmeal in the morning, in my buddha bowls for lunch, whole for snacks, and as dessert in the evening. I don’t count the number of pieces I consume or limit the quantity in any way. If I want a piece of fruit, I have one.

So go forth and fruit up!
🌱💕