Pick fruits in season as that is when they are priced the best and are at their peak for flavor and nutrients. Fruits should be eaten preferably on an empty stomach rather than after a meal for maximum nutrient absorption. Fruits are better eaten raw than in juice format. If juices are preferred, then drink the juice unstrained with pulp and ensure it is freshly squeezed to reap the benefits of fiber from the pulp.
- Dry fruits and nuts can be slivered and stored in a bottle to be handy whenever you want to dress a low (calorie) dessert.
- Over ripe bananas can be pureed and mixed with blue berries or raisins and walnuts and used to make cup cakes/ muffins or sponge cake.
- Seasonal fruits can be sliced or pureed and eaten along with curd or low calorie ice cream as a fruit yogurt or ice cream.
- Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries any berry eaten mixed or singly as smoothie or cut are a fantastic treat.
- Summer cooler treats -make fresh fruit puree and pour then into ice cube trays or kulfi containers and freeze them. When you come back hot and sweaty from work or play you can suck on iced fruit lollies.
- Blend, pureed 1/2 cup of mint leaves pureed with lime juice to get a zing and also double the nutrient value.
- Mangoes make excellent puddings, milkshakes, ice cream etc. It is packed with beta carotene, but diabetics... beware!
- Cut 2-3 fresh fruits and add them to your morning cereal even if you are having a cereal with fruit and nut, its a great blend of fresh and dried and also more satisfying.
- Papaya cubes with honey and nuts make a fantastic breakfast fruit and also helps in preventing constipation.
- Fresh Guava is yet another Vitamin C packed fruit, can be eaten raw or ripe cubed or whole, depending on your taste buds.
By. V.Iyengar, Dietitian, NutritionVista.com
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