When you’re trying to revamp your diet and eat a little bit healthier, it can be super hard to stick to your guns and not give in the second you see someone eating a bar of chocolate or munching on some crisps.
If your sweet tooth regularly thwarts your otherwise healthy lifestyle, we have a suggestion for you – why not replace your usual sugar hit with a bit of dried fruit?
Dried fruit – yes, yes we know it conjures up images of your granny and shrivelled old brown raisins, but hear us out. First of all, did you know that dried fruits are some of the best snacks you can have? They’re healthy, chocked-full of fibre and they’re sweet too, which means they’re far more likely to help you stay on track with your healthy eating regime.
Dried fruits can also have some major benefits for your body. They contain various vitamins, minerals and regularly eating them can stave off conditions like anaemia. They’re also loaded with antioxidants, which are amazing for keeping your body in tip-top condition.
So what are the healthiest dried fruits out there? The next time you feel a sugar craving coming on, reach for one of these instead of that bar of chocolate…
Apricot: Eating a dried apricot is more nutritious than eating a ripe one. When apricots are dried, their vitamin and iron levels soar through the roof. Dried apricots are a great source of fibre as well.
Figs: While some fruits lose a little bit of their nutritional value when dried, figs remain exactly the same when they’re no longer ripe. Dried figs are perfect for staving off any sugar cravings, they’re high in iron, potassium and folic acid.
Raisin: Raisins are cholesterol-free, full of fibre, low in sodium and completely and totally fat-free. Carry a small box around in your handbag to help you stay on track during the course of your day.
Prune: Don’t make a face! Prunes are a fantastic source of vitamins and can ease any digestive discomfort you might be having. Prunes speed up digestive transit time and are brilliant for keeping your colon healthy.
Pear: If you feel a cold coming on, try and get your hands on some dried pear. Why? Well dried pears are chocked-full of vitamin C, which will stimulate your immune system and help you to fight off the sniffles.
Dried fruit is full of important vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Yes, dried fruits are amazing and complement a balanced diet perfectly. However, it is important to note that not all dried fruits are equal in the health stakes.
Many dried fruits actually have sugar added to them for extra flavour – this means that instead of eating a healthy snack, you could end up eating something that has as much calories as a bar of chocolate.
Some of the main sugar-coated dried fruits to avoid are:
Pineapple: Dried pineapple is usually covered with a thick layer of refined sugar to sweeten it up.
Banana Chips: Yes, they’re delicious, but they’re also usually deep-fried and sweetened to within an inch of their life. If you really want some, try to find a brand that contains no extra sugar.
Watermelon: Dried watermelon contains a low level of nutrients but a massive level of sugar.
Cranberries: When dried, cranberries always require a few extra sweeteners in order to ‘lift’ their taste.
