When we make one major change in life, such as buying a new home among the Ottawa real estate, we often think about making other changes too. But no matter what you’re going through in your personal or professional life, if you’ve decided to improve your health and well-being, perhaps lose some weight and gain some energy, you’ll want to have a good understanding when it comes to which foods are good for you.
When it comes to fruit, it can be a bit confusing as you might have heard that some or all should be avoided due to a high amount of natural sugar and/or carbs. The reality is that while fruit is high in that sweet substance, studies have consistently linked it to a lower risk of obesity and other diseases, provided you’re consuming whole fruit, not fruit juice. Whole fruit contains insoluble and soluble fiber, whereas juice does not. Those two fibers create a gel-like barrier that helps prevent a significant amount of the sugar from being absorbed during the digestion process. The fiber also improves the digestive process, triggering your gut to tell your brain that you’re full, which means you’ll feel fuller faster after consuming fruit than if you had been drinking fruit juice or ate something that lacked fiber.
There’s only one that you should probably limit, and that’s grapes as they don’t have a great sugar-to-fiber ratio. If you want to focus on the healthiest types, these are arguably your best bet.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a tropical fruit that packs a punch when it comes to nutrition, providing 131 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin C and 76 percent of the RDI for manganese in just one cup. It also contains a superstar nutrient called bromelain that offers powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Apples
Apples have a high water and fiber content, which means that eating one will help keep you fuller longer without adding a lot to your daily calorie count, a total of just 95 calories. Apples have an extra advantage when it comes to weight loss, with a substance known as ursolic acid found in the peel. It’s been shown in scientific research to increase brown fat in mice, lowering the risk of obesity and the many harmful effects that come with it.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain the highest amount of antioxidants of any commonly consumed fruit, helping to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and a wide range of chronic conditions. They strengthen the immune system to protect you against viral infections and oxidative stress, and may even help improve your memory too.
Grapefruit
One of the healthiest citrus fruits, grapefruit is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, and it’s also known to aid weight loss efforts. Studies have found that those who eat a half grapefruit before a meal lose more weight as compared to those who don’t, and it’s also been found to lower cholesterol levels, reduce insulin resistance and prevent kidney stones.
Avocados
Avocados are unique in that they’re one of the few fruits that are low in carbs, made up mostly of healthy fats that have been associated with better heart health and lower inflammation levels. Those healthy fats can also help you feel fuller longer, potentially aiding weight loss efforts. Plus, they contain lots of fiber, magnesium, and potassium.
