Written By Sam Henselijn
Why You Should Snack on Dried Fruits. Dried fruit is essentially a fruit from which the majority of the water content has been eliminated, either through natural means, sun drying, or using a specialized dehydrator. This process condenses the fruit, resulting in a smaller, energy-packed form. For those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, purchasing a dehydrator offers the opportunity to create unique, homemade dried fruit recipes. Packed with nutrients, dried fruits are rich in fiber, potassium, and various phenolic compounds, making them a great way to boost your daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
The beauty of the drying process is that it preserves both the taste and nutritional value of the fruit. Importantly, genuine dried fruit doesn’t include added sugars or juices; those that do are referred to as candied dried fruits. While delicious, candied fruits are significantly higher in calories due to the added sugar content.
For those looking to add a burst of color and nutrition to their meals, there’s a wide array of no-added-sugar dried fruits available. Some options include dried kiwis, which offer a sweet and tangy flavor that can aid digestion; mangos, perfect as a snack for outdoor activities; and pears, which can be easily incorporated into salads for an extra burst of flavor.
They provide a number of interesting benefits to your overall health:
- A high level of fiber boosts both your immune and digestive systems.
- Different antioxidants fight chronic illnesses and reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions.
- Variety of micronutrients and minerals for beautiful skin, hair, and a significant increase of energy. Did you even know that dried apricots are good for your vision?
But in order to take care of your health and enjoy your treats at the same time, you have to keep in mind that you have to watch the quantities you eat. Dried fruits are a great addition to your daily routine but are not a pass to overindulge. It’s not because they are healthy that you can eat an unlimited quantity. In fact, dried fruits do contain a high level of sugar, even higher than fresh fruits (it depends on which one). So enjoy, but be mindful of your daily consumption and do not snack compulsively on it. Look at the calories and sugar intakes on your packages and you will realize how quickly it goes!
L’Orenta Dried Fruits
To not get bored eating over and over again the same dried fruit.
Mixing and matching will give you a range of essential nutrients when enjoyed as a part of a balanced diet. We love to mix pineapples and dates for example! Pineapples are the favorite tropical dried fruit, they are great to fight inflammation and their intensely sweet taste makes them a favorite post-workout snack. Dates are also full of antioxidants, improve gut health, can help reduce weight and increase hemoglobin levels.
Some dried fruits also have a very sugary taste to help you with your cravings like golden raisins (kids love them too). You can use them on your diet to help fight anemia, acidity, and constipation. They are amazing because you can snack on them in their natural form but also bake them to make homemade granola, cereal, or create your own trail mix recipe (a great snack for an active lifestyle).
Should you choose dried fruits or real fruits?
Fresh fruits are of course a very good option, you should never pass the occasion of eating fresh and organic fruit for all its ingredients. But dried fruits contain many of the same benefits and some others like easier storage, transportation, and conservation.
For example, dried fruits have a longer shelf life and can be stored without refrigeration (greatly appreciated for vegan snacks).
They are great ingredients that come in very handy to add
diversity and taste to vegetarian and vegan recipes because they are an amazing source of plant-based protein. Indeed, these particular diets require organic, raw, and mostly fresh products that are easy to cook and use in different recipes.
Vegans tend to lack iron and calcium because they don’t eat meat and dairy products, which can be found in prunes and figs. Prunes are well known for helping build bone and muscle, reduce cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure. Figs are good for your bones too and can help warn off the growth of cancer cells.
There are so many recipes that you can try! You can add your dried fruits to yogurts, cookies, compotes, porridge, snack bars, granola, waffles, and jams. You can also mix them with fresh vegetables and almond milk for shakes, or just raw in salads. With dried fruits such as cranberries, you can prepare a vinaigrette for your goat cheese and arugula salad with nuts to die for!
Tell us, which dried fruit is your favorite and how do you cook it?
Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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