Dried Fruit: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Most people enjoy dried fruits in foods like granola, trail mix and baked desserts. However, they also make fantastic healthy fruit snacks when you’re on the go.
Dried fruit is a high energy food. Drying eliminates the fruit’s water content, concentrating the sugars. It only takes about ¼ cup of dried fruit to equal the calories in 1 cup of fresh, so portion control is imperative. Each That’s it. fruit bar has 100 calories and 3 grams of fiber to satisfy and keep you feeling full until your next meal.
Sugar isn’t the only thing that is concentrated in dried fruit. All of the nutrients are, too. Dried fruit is a marvelous source of nutrition in a small, delicious package.
Some of the more plentiful nutrients found in dried fruits include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. These are all critical to your health in a variety of ways.
Calcium, when paired with phosphorus, is necessary for maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Calcium by itself is important for a healthy heart and muscles, as well as the body’s proper manufacture of hormones and neurotransmitters. Calcium also helps you lose weight by causing your body to burn fat with greater efficiency. Beware that calcium requires vitamin D in order to be used by your body.
Chromium, found in abundance in apples, has a regulating effect on blood sugar and can stop a hypoglycemia attack almost instantly. Theoretically, chromium could help you lose fat because of its positive impact on blood sugar.
Magnesium is an electrolyte that is utilized by your muscles and nervous system and also helps to regulate your heart beat. People who don’t get enough magnesium may suffer from muscle spasms, cramps, anxiety and are more prone to heart attacks.
B vitamins are required for your nervous system and energy production. They also have the ability to increase sleep quality and enhance dreaming.
Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, has all kinds of functions in the body. One if these is collagen production, upon which your skin, nails, joints, ligaments and tendons rely. It also has a protective effect on the heart and immune system.