There are many benefits when it comes to eating dried fruit, both from a heath standpoint and a convenience one. Dried fruit is tasty, can be fun to eat, especially for those picky eaters in your family, and is good for you.
Now obviously fresh fruit will provide you with more health benefits, because whether the fruit is freeze dried or dried by the sun, there will unfortunately be some loss of nutrients, however the loss is minimal.
By replacing the empty calorie snack foods in your pantry, like potato chips and cookies, with healthy dried fruit, not only will your family be snacking healthier, but for those picky eaters, as mentioned earlier, you can start to change their mind on what is good to eat. By weaning them off the junk food and onto fruit, you will be helping them adjust their eating habits, allowing them to be healthier as they grow into adulthood.
Below are 16 specific dried fruits and their nutritional values:
1. Dried Apples
Apples are not only a source of dietary fiber, but they also contain many phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants in the body. Dried apples are also packed with vitamin B complex, iron and potassium.
2. Dates
Dates are another dried fruit that is more than meets the eye. These tasty dried morsels contain such essential minerals as manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and is a great source of dietary fiber.
3. Dried Apricots
Containing the highest level of vitamin A, dried apricot can be considered one of the most nutritious dried fruits, second to goji berries. Dried apricots are a good source of dietary fiber and contain vitamin K, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.
4. Dried Blackcurrants
Dried blackcurrants are low in saturated fats and sodium and contain high levels of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. They also are a good source of zinc, iron, potassium, manganese and calcium.
5. Dried Blueberries
Dried blueberries are another fruit that has been classified as a 'super food' and contains high levels of vitamin C, manganese and vitamin E. This dried fruit also contains vitamin A and vitamin B complex.
6. Dried Cherries
Considered another high source of antioxidants, dried cherries are packed with important nutrients like, beta-carotene, folic acid, and are a great source of dietary fiber.
7. Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries are a great source antioxidants and contain such essential nutrients as calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin K.
8. Dried Figs
Dried figs contain the highest level of dietary fiber of all dried fruits and they also contain vitamin K, manganese, copper, magnesium, and calcium. In addition, figs are high in iron and potassium.
9. Dried Goji Berries
Dried goji berries are another fruit that has been classified as a 'super food'. This little berry contains 19 essential amino acids, 21 trace minerals, 6 essential fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. They are also a high source of iron.
10. Dried Mangoes
Not unlike the apple, this sweet dried fruit contains high levels of phytochemicals, which provides the body with many essential antioxidants. Dried mangoes also contain zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
11. Dried Papayas
This dried fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants and contains high levels of vitamin C. Dried papayas are also an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium.
12. Dried Peaches
Dried peaches are a well-rounded fruit with excellent sources of dietary fiber, vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium and iron.
13. Dried pears
Dried pears are a great source of dietary fiber and contain such nutrients as, vitamin C and copper.
14. Prunes
Dried plums, or prunes as they are better known, contain the highest levels of vitamin K among all other dried fruits. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A and such minerals as, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.
15. Raisins
The dried grape, which seems to one of the few fruits that gets its own name when dried, next to prunes that is, are high in dietary fiber and contain such minerals as, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Raisins are also high in vitamin B complex and vitamin C.
16. Sun-dried Tomatoes
Although thought of as a vegetable by many, tomatoes are actually a fruit. Sun-dried tomatoes therefore are a dried fruit and they contain high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and potassium.
The benefits of dried fruit was written on behalf of
Gogiberries.us, a great place to find healthy
dried goji berries.
About the Author:
Corey learned to write at age six, over a quarter-century later he is still perfecting his craft. Residing in Ottawa, Canada, he earns a living as a Freelance Writer.
The Benefits Of Dried Fruit
