Americans aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables. In fact, one 2017 study found that only 1 in 10 Americans eats the recommended amount. This can lead to a host of health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. There are many reasons people aren’t eating enough fruits. Some people are picky and don’t like to try new foods, while others don’t like the ones they’ve tried.
Sometimes, all it takes is to find the one food you didn’t think you’d like and ended up liking. One fruit, and suddenly, a whole other kind of healthy food is open to you. Today, we’re looking at three fruits that could be that gateway fruit for you, the one to unlock the others. These are tasty, flexible fruits that offer many health benefits. What’s not to love?
Apples
Apples are the entry level fruit — several different types that are all tasty without unappetizing textures or tastes. Most apples are sweet, without being too sweet, or, like Granny Smith apples, just the right level of sour. They also have a satisfying crunch. They can be eaten on their own, with peanut butter or chocolate, or baked into pies and cakes (though that’s only scraping the surface!).
Apples can be eaten on their own, with peanut butter or chocolate, or baked into pies and cakes (though that’s only scraping the surface!).
One of the benefits of apples is that they’re nearly your entire daily amount of fruit. One apple is roughly 1-1.5 cups of fruit, while the recommended daily amount is 2 cups. They’re also low in calories and great for your heart, among other great health benefits!
Bananas
If there’s one fruit that can challenge apples for the starter fruit throne, it’s bananas. In fact, bananas are the most purchased fruit in the United States, and for good reason! Like apples, they’re sweet without being too sweet with just enough firmness to not be considered mushy. If anything, the taste is deceptively mild, making it perfect for fruit-skeptics. Bananas are perfect to pack into a lunch or for on the go, since they have a convenient natural wrapper! You could also add them into smoothies or pancakes if you want to try something different!
Bananas are perfect to pack into a lunch or for on the go, since they have a convenient natural wrapper!
In terms of nutrition, bananas are low in fat with a number of antioxidants, nutrients, and dietary fiber. This combines to help you feel fuller for longer, while being healthy for your heart, digestion, and blood pressure!
Peaches
If apples and bananas aren’t sweet enough for you, you can try peaches. Peaches are like candy, especially if you get them in store-bought cups (which can be healthy, though you should avoid peaches in syrup which add a lot of processed sugar). Like bananas, they’re just firm enough to not be mushy, while they also offer a pleasing pop when you bite into them. You can eat them fresh, make them into pies or have them with ice cream. Add them to unsweetened cereal to replace sugary ones for a healthier morning!
Peaches are like nature’s candy!
Despite the sweet taste, peaches are surprisingly low in calories, with roughly 68 calories in a large peach. They’re also rich in fiber (good for digestion and weight loss) and potassium (good for blood pressure), among other minerals and vitamins. Peaches don’t have any saturated fats, no cholesterol, and no sodium. These are only a few of the benefits of peaches, though!
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For some people, fruits can seem unappetizing, but they’re a really healthy addition to any diet. If you’re one of the millions of Americans that don’t eat fruit, it may seem tough to get started. Between apples, bananas, and peaches, though, you’ll almost certainly find one that you’ll fall in love with!
