The Fruit Myth You Should Stop Believing
Growing up, biting into a cold piece of watermelon on a hot summer day was the best. Fruit was so popular that The Wiggles hit "Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy" understandably became an instant classic. Fruit offers the best of both worlds: It's both utterly delicious, and, as Delish explains, it's full of water and nutrients, making it a healthy, yet sweet snack. So, why has this food group gotten a new and bad rep as of late?
Your morning yogurt or oatmeal bowl wouldn't be the same without some sliced up bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and more floating on top. According to Medical News Today, for example, strawberries are only 17 calories and provide nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. A little bit of vitamin C in your morning routine will do a lot of good.
With over 2,000 different fruits to choose from, the options are, quite frankly, endless (via Fruits Info). And with so many choices available, it is hard to believe that a few modern diet trends have soured the once-sweet perception of fruit.
Fruit is needed in a well-balanced diet
Just like every other food category on the planet, fruit needs to be eaten in moderation. It boosts one's overall health and can even reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (via Medical News Today). But in the last year or so, Delish says that diets such as keto, have given fruit a bad name.
The Washington Post also reports that this myth of fruit being unhealthy has stemmed from fad diets. Some of these diets, like keto, aim to keep your body in a ketogenic state (via Healthline). Keto specifically is a low-carb and high-fat diet and most fruits have carbs, so you're cautioned to avoid fruit to prevent going over your daily carb intake (via Everyday Health).
Another issue dieters have with fruit is its sugar content. But, as The Washington Post explains, this is natural sugar, which is much better than added sugars you'll find in soda and processed fruit snacks. A daily dose of fruits will bring far more benefits than health risks, and it's recommended that adults eat anywhere from two to four servings of fruit a day (via Healthline).
Fruits have a ton of fiber and water that keep you hydrated, fit, and healthy (via Creative Healthy Family). With the entire alphabet worth of vitamins packed into fruit, it's clear that their nutritional value shouldn't be equated with those of processed sugars and sweets.