Posts Tagged ‘nutrition facts’

Dried Fruits

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

Today what we get as dried fruits is dried in different ways. Since sun drying depends completely on sunlight, which is different in different climates, various other methods of drying fruits have evolved, like drying in an oven or using the electric dehydrator for drying.

Fruits can also be dried at home. Before drying, check that the fruits don’t have any mold, scars, or soft patches. Cut the fresh fruits in small slices, pretreat them by dipping into citrus juice (to avoid color change) and then dry them.

Drying makes the fruit life longer. Fresh fruits contain moisture, which is good for organisms that spoil the fruits because the organisms feed on this moisture. However, if dried, the fruits become free from moisture and remain edible for a long time.

Dried fruits are rich in fiber and carbohydrates and contain little fat. However, dried foods are a bit more calorically dense than their fresh counterparts. It is recommended to eat a half serving size of dried fruits rather than the full fresh size.

Eating dried fruits is easy since they are already in sliced or diced form. Dried fruits are commonly used in breads, muffins, cakes, and desserts or simply used as toppings on these foods. You can easily enhance the taste of your morning cereal by sprinkling some dried raisins or berries into it

The Fruits We Know

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Apple

The humble apple – it really is true an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Apples contain Vitamins A, B, C, Potassium, Iron & Magnesium. They also contain important Flavanoids and Pectin and helps fight the effects of bad cholesterol.


Banana

A good source of Potassium, Folic Acid, Vitamin A & B6. They are easily digested, high in fibre and help maintain sugar levels and are a great energy boosting snack.


Blueberry

Blueberries are one of natures’s super foods. They are bursting with important nutrients and flavour yet low in calories.


Kiwi

Kiwi fruit is one of the most nutrient rich of all the popular fruits. While most fruits tend to be high in one or two major nutrients Kiwis deliver a whole range of nutrients & vitamins.

They are packed full of cancer fighting Beta-Carotene and contain twice as much Vitamin C as an orange.

They are also rich in minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium & Sodium.

Kiwi fruit is a food, protector and natural medicine. And on top of all this it tastes wonderful.


Mango

Mangos smell and taste wonderful . They are rich in Beta-Carotene ( a cancer fighting agent), Vitamin C & B and are a good source of Calcium, Magnesium & Potassium. They also contain high levels of antioxidants which fight cell damaging free radicals.


Oranges

Oranges are known, of course, for their Vitamin C content but they contain an abundance of other health giving ingredients.

They contain antioxidants that help fight the free radicals that damage and age our skin are loaded with anti cancer Beta-Carotene and are a good source of Calcium and other minerals.

 

Peach

Peaches taste great and are packed full of nutrients including cancer preventing Beta -Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin C & B3.


Pineapple

Pineapple are packed full of Vitamin C and fibre and so help the immune and digestive system. They also have anti-inflammatory effects and they contain the protein digesting ingredient Bromelain.


Raspberry

Raspberries are high in Ellagic Acid which is good for the immune system. Packed full of Vitamins and minerals including cancer fighting Beta -Carotene, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Sodium. They are also full of dietary fibre.


Strawberry

A handful of Strawberries contains 100% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.They also contain cancer fighting Beta -Carotene, bone building Calcium, Potassium and Iron.

Strawberries also contain natural pain killing substances some of which are included in the manufacture of Aspirin.