The Drawbacks and Benefits of Dried Fruit When Trying to Lose Weight

Fresh produce is a great idea when you’re dieting, but are the benefits of dried fruit the same? Diet is an important factor for weight management. It is, however, extremely difficult to manage as well. Watching what you eat day and night can get wearisome, but it is a small price to pay for the long-term advantages you will reap. Dry fruits are part of many people’s diet, for those who practice healthy eating. However, it is important to know what they contain to moderate their consumption. There are both drawbacks and benefits of dried fruit when it comes to weight loss.

Drawbacks and Benefits of Dried Fruit for Healthy Dieting

When fruits are dried, their water content diminishes and all you are left with is a rich source of nutrients. These concentrated nutrients include minerals, such as iron, copper and potassium. Other nutrients include beta carotene, fiber and sugar. Yes, sugar. And calories. As this is natural sugar and not an artificial sweetener, in small quantities it is not going to be fattening. However, if consumed out of moderation it can really upset your healthy eating routine.

As the nutrients in dried fruits are considerably more concentrated than fresh fruits, not all nutrients may be beneficial. People combating with liver or kidney diseases may not be able to process such a high dose of nutrients. Thus, always consult your doctor when consuming dried fruits if you are a kidney or liver patient so you can enjoy the benefits of dried fruit without any risk.

Also, you may notice dried fruits can be sticky. They are sticky due to their sugar content and when consumed get settled in your teeth. Thus, if teeth are not cleaned properly, cavities are a huge possibility. So, brush well after eating dried fruits.

When purchasing dried fruits, stick to the additive–free variant. Even though they have a shorter shelf life, they are a healthier choice, providing you the benefits of dried fruit for weight loss you seek. For a fruit to be considered naturally dried, it has to free from artificial ingredients. For example, fruits dried in an oven or left out in the sun can be qualified as naturally dried.

On the plus side, there may be times when a high calorie intake is required. For example, if you are part of a high-performance sport or involved in outdoor activities, dried fruits are the best thing to take along. They are light and easy to carry around without being messy.

All in all, dried fruits are great alternatives to chips or chocolate when snacking. Moderation is the key when it comes to consuming dried fruits. Organic, local and additive free are good options to consider when you are shopping for dried fruits.