Feeling Fruity

Summer is here whether the sunshine has arrived or not. What I love about this time of year is the abundance of strawberries. Juicy and sweet, I eat them most days.

I’ve never put sugar on my strawberries as they contain enough natural sugar for me to get a hit. But I do love the indulgence of cream and maybe a meringue…

It set me thinking about fruit snacks that we sometimes find in diet plans as a healthy choice.

• Banana vs banana bread
  🍌 Benefits of Bananas: Natural energy boost, high in potassium and fibre, helping to regulate blood pressure and maintain fluid balance.
  🍰 Banana Cake: Adding sugar, flour, and butter doubles the sugar content and adds unnecessary fats, leading to a quicker spike in blood sugar levels followed by a crash, which can leave you feeling more tired and hungry.
  

• Satsuma vs jaffa cake
  🍊 Benefits of Satsumas: Rich in vitamin C, low in calories, and hydrating.
  🍪 Jaffa Cake: Contain 5 times as much sugar per 100g and lack the fibre of a satsuma, increasing overconsumption.
  

• Strawberries vs with meringue nest
  🍓 Benefits of Strawberries: Packed with vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. Hydrating and low in calories.
  🍨 With meringue nest: The meringue increases the sugar content to about four times that of strawberries. Additionally, meringues contains more sucrose, which can lead to a quicker spike in blood sugar levels and less stable energy.
  

• Apple vs fruit cereal bar
  🍏 Benefits of Apples: High in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. Helps with digestion and hydration.
  🍫 Apple Cereal Bar: While convenient, the added sugars and less fibre, reduces the overall nutritional benefit.
  

• Grapes vs raisins
  Benefits of Grapes: Hydrating, rich in vitamins C and K, and low in calories. Grapes also provide a refreshing snack with natural sugars that are released slowly, helping to maintain stable energy levels.
  🍇 Raisins: While still nutritious, the drying process concentrates the sugars, making them much higher in sugar and calories compared to fresh grapes.

Sweet Facts

• Natural vs. Processed: Natural fruits provide essential nutrients, fibre, and hydration, which are often lost or significantly reduced when fruits are processed into desserts and snacks.

• Sugar Content: Fruits mainly contain natural sugars like fructose, which is metabolised more slowly and doesn't cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. Desserts and snacks made from fruits often contain added sucrose, leading to quicker spikes in blood sugar levels and less stable energy

• Energy Levels: Natural fruits offer a balanced source of energy and reduce the likelihood of a later slump which may make us reach for the biscuit tin…

The Verdict

Sometimes, the options offered on diet plans aren't as smart as eating fruit as nature intended. Next time you fancy a fruity fix, ditch the additions and enjoy the sweetness guilt-free!