It's True, Fruits are Carbs...

I wanted to touch briefly on something that recently came up with a friend who has been counting carbs.  I know that a low-carb diet can be an effective way to lose weight fast (although it's initially just mostly water, but more about that in another blog). Still, there are foods people consider to be carbs that are truly beneficial to the body and really should not be discounted or left off the daily menu.  Specifically, I want to address the advantages of including fruit in the diet and, maybe in doing so, dispel some myths about fruit that may be holding you back from enjoying them.

I think the best way to start is just to embrace the fact that fruit has carbohydrates – it absolutely does, but all carbs are not created equal.  Fruits are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so the benefits you get from them outweigh the glucose impact that you would get from eating refined carbs like bread or white flour. High-fiber diets that include many fruits may also help with weight management. Since fruit is high in water and fiber but low in calories, eating them can help increase fullness while reducing hunger and calorie intake. 

And not all fruits are created equal!  Watermelon, for example, is mainly made of water, making it a low-calorie fruit. It's also a great source of an amino acid called arginine, which has been shown to help burn fat quickly.  Guavas are nutrient-packed, fiber-filled, and contain phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation and prevent diabetes and cancer.  And everyone knows bananas are a good source of potassium, but not everyone knows a banana a day can help stop weight gain because it has only 105 calories and 3 grams of filling fiber. 

Don't forget about savory fruit!  Tomatoes are very low in calories. An average-sized tomato has just 22 calories, and a large one has 33 calories. Tomatoes are also considered an appetite-suppressant "high-volume" food, which means they have high amounts of water, air, and fiber; plus, they fight the resistance to leptin, a hormone that signals your brain that you're full.  And avocadoes are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega-3!

So, the takeaway here is that fruits are friends. The key to adding fruits to your diet is to do so in moderation (as with all things) and let the season dictate which fruits you eat. When fruits are in season, they tend to have more concentrated sources of their benefits, meaning the sugars, vitamins, and minerals are higher in trace amounts in their peak season. Plus, it's also when they taste the best!

Xx,

Andrea