BY: CLAIRE KIM
In the food pyramid, fruits have always been a source of leeway for people to indulge in “healthy snacks” while consuming great amounts of natural sugar. It’s almost like a marketing ploy in that such health consequences are overshadowed by the delicious connections they have with vegetables which are well known as healthy food options. Seemingly good for you, fruits have been misinterpreted as all-nutritious making consumers believe that it is okay to eat great amounts of fruit in one sitting with no concerns to take into consideration. Like any food source, it is important to eat in moderate amounts to maintain a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle that will serve beneficial in the future. As with most things in life, moderation is key!
Here is a list of some of the most recommended fruits to eat with low-sugar properties (for those concerned with any form of diabetes):
- Lemons
- Raspberries
- Kiwis
- Grapefruit
- Avocado
- Cantaloupe
As I was researching, I came across an article by the New York Times regarding blueberries which I thought was quite notable to consider. According to a study done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “researchers estimate that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces the risk of any cardiovascular event by 13 percent”. Blueberries show such results as the berries carry an antioxidant called anthocyanin which increases levels of a substance called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (improves parts of the circulatory system like blood flow). In a sense, blueberries provide minerals that are useful for the body along with its sweet taste!
Aside from blueberries, countless other fruits share health advantages to our bodies as well. Other than the consideration of how much fruit one intakes per day, fruits should be a welcoming snack to enjoy as long as moderation is kept in check.
claire kim. 