Need to debloat after mashed potatoes and pie? Eat the extra pounds away with fruit.
The holidays can take a serious toll on our bodies. Between being too busy to exercise, overeating and not getting enough vitamin D from sunlight, it’s natural to find yourself feeling bloated and moody.
Fortunately, you can fight back with fruit! While high in essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruit is naturally low in fat, sodium and calories. This makes it perfect for detoxing. Many fruits are sources of under-consumed nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C and folate, all of which help revitalize and cleanse the body. Doctors recommend getting 2 ½ cups of fruit a day if you and your family are on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Check out These Fabulous Fruits for Detox:
Bananas – With their high potassium, fiber and vitamin B6 content, bananas help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease. They also contain nutrients that help moderate blood sugar levels (which is definitely needed with all those desserts around).
Kiwi – Incredibly nutrient dense, kiwis are considered one of the world’s healthiest foods. With twice the vitamin C of an orange, they help maintain healthy skin tone and texture, prevent disease and lower blood pressure. The high fiber and potassium content in kiwi supports heart and digestive health. Eat one every morning – skin on or off – to take advantage of this magical fruit.
Lemons – Lemons are the ultimate detox fruit. In fact, one cup of fresh lemon juice provides 187 percent of your daily recommended serving of vitamin C! They also contain more potassium than apples and grapes. Squeeze some into your water in the morning and on top of fresh salads and fish to get the full benefit.
Melon – Filled with potassium and a host of B vitamins as well as folate and vitamin K, melons have less than 64 calories per 1 cup serving and are amazing for clearing blemishes and smoothing the skin thanks to their high water content.
Strawberries – Strawberries are lower in sugar content and full of cancer-fighting and detox properties due to high amounts of antioxidants (which give them that brilliant red color).
How much do you know about fruit? Take the quiz below to find out. It’s fun for kids too!
Do you wish you had a community to inspire you and support the choices you make to improve your family’s nutrition habits? Now you do. Join the conversation, or start your own, using #TasteOfHealth.
