Fruits are amongst the most nutrition dense foods on the planet. They are chucked with vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and anti-oxidants. People who eat fruits as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases. Lots of people do indeed eat fruits, but because fruits are healthy they make the mistake of believing they can eat them whenever and however they want. Because of this they fail to maximize on the full nutritional benefits these power packs have to offer. Instead, after incorporating fruits in their diet, they end up suffering with vitamin and mineral deficiencies and turn to spending money on supplements. Added to this, they aggravate digestive problems and skin allergies and suffer with bloating, flatulence, constipation and heartburn just to name a few. Here are some of the ways in which fruits are eaten incorrectly.
EATING FRUITS DIRECTLY AFTER OR BEFORE MEALS
Fruits are digested by the body much faster than other complex foods such as macaroni pie, bread and meat. When you eat fruits directly after a meal, the fruits are ready to be absorbed into the gut faster than the meal but is prevented from doing so because the meal is still being broken down. The sugar content in the fruit gets fermented with the carbs and protein in the meal and delays the process of digestion. Eventually, the entire mass ferments in the gut causing discomforts such as bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea and heartburn. It is best to eat fruits alone, on an empty stomach preferably in the morning as this is when it is best digested in the body. This practice also helps to detoxify the body. If fruits are eaten during the day, allow at least two hours to elapse before or after a meal.
NOT BUYING LOCAL FRUITS
Clever marketing strategies have caused people to value foreign fruits over local ones. Foreign fruits are picked and shipped way before they ripen, purely for business reasons. When a fruit is unripe it is underdeveloped and mostly consists of acids. Many times exotic fruits ripen in a box, in an air-conditioned grocery store or artificially ripened using chemicals such as calcium carbide which contains trace amounts of arsenic which is toxic to the body. These fruits ripen improperly which greatly affects the taste and nutritional value. Not to mention chemical poisoning can cause upset stomach, peptic ulcers, headaches, dizziness sleepiness, low blood pressure and general weakness. Eat local fruits that are in season and preferably ripened on the vine in sunshine. These types of fruits matured the way God intended, they are packed with flavour, are safer to consume and are more nutritious. Besides, foreign fruits are grossly over-priced anyway. By buying local you will be supporting local small businesses. Be sure to consume the fruits soon after picking because fruits start losing their nutritional potency after being picked fully ripe.
DRINKING FRUIT JUICES
Drinking fruit juices is okay but eating the fresh whole fruit is much better. When you eat the whole fruit you get the pulp or dietary fibre which is needed for proper digestion and bowel movements. If you opt to juice your fruits, be mindful that the extra heat generated from mechanical juicing destroys some of the nutrients. Packaged juices contain added sugar, preservatives and artificial flavours and are less than nutritious.
MIXING FRUITS WITH MILK
Milk is a type of animal protein which takes longer to breakdown in the body than fruit. The mixture, therefore, while tastes good is not so good for the body. It ferments in the gut causing indigestion, bloating and heart burn. Citrus fruits should never be mixed with milk because they have different pH levels which do not combine well. The ascorbic acid in the fruit causes the milk to coagulate. However, there are some fruits that can be safely blended into your delicious smoothies. Sweet fruits such as dates and figs blend well with milk, also avocados.
IN SUMMARY
To get the most out of fruits:
Eat fresh, local fruits that were ripened on the vine in sunshine.
Opt for eating whole fruits as opposed to drinking fruit juices.
Eat fruits by themselves preferably in the morning on an empty stomach. This will help detoxify the system. If eating fruits during the day, allow at least two hours to elapse before or after a meal.
Avoid mixing fruits with milk, especially citrus fruits.
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