Organic Dried Fruit - The Perfect Healthy Snack?

Is organic dried fruit the perfect healthy snack? It may well be. If you are trying to lose weight, feel better, eat more foods that are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants, fruit is one of the keys. There are several reasons why eating dried fruit is a great idea.

One thing many people don't pay enough attention to is their snacking habits. What you consume in between meals can be just as important as your main meals. It's all too easy to get in the habit of munching on fattening and unhealthy 'foods" like chips, pretzels, candy bars and donuts during the day. These snacks are usually very easy to find, whether from stores or vending machines at your place of work. These snacks are usually high in sugar, sodium, artificial ingredients and unhealthy fats.

Fruit makes an excellent substitute for such non-nutritious snacks. They are high in natural sugar, as well as antioxidants, which have been shown to be good for overall health and the prevention of many diseases. While fresh fruit is nutritious and refreshing, it's not always practical. Your favorite fruits are not always in season. Fruit can be either under or overripe. If you like bananas, for example, you've probably had the experience of a forgotten banana turning mushy and leaking into your car seat, pocketbook, backpack or carrying case!

Dried fruit is always in season and is convenient to carry. If you are going to start eating more dried fruit, it's good to look for the organic variety. Regular dried fruit often has added sugar, which you really don't need and counteracts the health benefits of natural fruit. Non-organic dried fruits may also contain chemicals and artificial ingredients.

You can find almost any variety of dried fruit. You may want to look for a mix that also contains nuts, which are a great source of protein and healthy fats. Or you can buy your favorite dried nuts and fruits separately and create your own mix. These can be conveniently carried to work, school or in the car, train, bus or plane.

Children can also learn to love dried fruit, though if they are accustomed to candy it may take some reconditioning! If you have kids, this may be a project worth getting started on, however. Too much sugar has been linked to many problems with children, such as hyperactivity and difficulty in concentration. If your kids are hooked on sugar, don't try to get them to quit cold turkey. Introduce healthier snacks into their diet and gradually get them to think of sweeter things like candy bars as special treats rather than something they eat throughout the day.

Introducing something like organic dried fruit into your diet may seem like a small step, but it's something that can make a real difference in your health and well being. For you are not only getting the many benefits of fruit in your diet, you are losing the many unhealthy substances that you can cut back on as you make this healthy switch.

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Yummy Vegetable Recipes That Are Tasty, Easy, Healthy and Perfect For Diabetics, Too!

If you and your family are tired of the same old vegetables on your table day in and day out, give these recipes a try for a new twist on veggies. Most of us need to increase the vegetables in our diet and here are some delicious ways to do it. From this Baked Mashed Sweet Potato recipe to our Roasted Red Peppers with Balsamic Vinegar to Broccoli with Thyme you can put healthy, tasty veggies with a new twist on your dining room table.

BAKED MASHED SWEET POTATOES

1 can (29 oz) sweet potatoes

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup Splenda

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

TOPPING:

1 cup cornflakes, crushed

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar blend

1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drain juice from sweet potatoes. Pour potatoes into a medium mixing bowl and mash. Add remaining ingredients (except topping) and mix well. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Pour potato mixture into pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine all the topping ingredients and mix well. Spoon over potatoes and bake an additional 10 minutes.

ROASTED RED PEPPERS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

4 red peppers, seeded and halved

2 med onions, sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp minced garlic

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/4 tsp thyme

1 cup croutons

To roast peppers: Preheat broiler. Place peppers on a broiler pan, skin side up. Broil close to heat until charred, about 10 minutes. Cover and cool slightly; peel off skin. Cut into strips.

Spread onions out on the broiler pan. Broil, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5 minutes.

In a medium mixing bowl combine oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Add peppers and onions; toss well. Just before serving, sprinkle with croutons.

BROCCOLI WITH THYME

1/2 lb fresh broccoli florets

1 tbsp olive oil

3/4 tsp lemon juice

dash of salt

1/8 tsp dried thyme

Steam broccoli until crisp tender. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Toss steamed broccoli with the oil mixture until all broccoli is coated.

Yield: 4 servings. 3/4 cup = 45 calories, 3 g carbs, 2 g protein

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