Nutrients in Blueberry Pie

Nutrients in Blueberry Pie
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While you shouldn't eat blueberry pie all the time due to its high fat and calorie content, having a slice now and then does offer you some nutritional benefits. Preparing your own blueberry pie at home allows you to control what ingredients you use, which usually means the pie is healthier than the ones that are commercially prepared and sold at supermarkets. Using fresh blueberries also creates a healthier pie than using those that come out of a can.

Vitamin C

Blueberries are high in vitamin C, with 14 mg per serving, which equates to about 25 percent of your daily needs, reports U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Having a slice of pie doesn't usually equal an entire serving, which is a half cup, but still increases your intake of vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system, wound healing and promotes healthy teeth and gums. Keep in mind that cooking blueberries often results in nutrient loss, so your actual intake of vitamin C may be much lower depending on the temperature at which you cook your pie and how long it remains in the oven.

Fiber

Both the crust and the blueberries in the pie contribute to your fiber intake. Fiber is a nutrient that plays a role in healthy digestion and cholesterol levels, as well as reducing your risk of heart disease, according to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Most Americans don't get enough fiber in their daily diets, but you should increase your intake slowly so that you don't experience stomach cramps or diarrhea. One slice of a 9-inch blueberry pie contains 8 g of fiber, according to Nutrient Facts. Women should get 21 to 25 g of fiber per day, while men need 30 to 38 g daily.

Calories

Most desserts are an indulgence and you should not eat them on a regular basis. Even with the nutrients that blueberries contain, pie is very high in calories. Eating more calories than you burn will result in weight gain, which increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression. Nutrient Facts reports that one slice of a 9-inch blueberry pie contains 360 calories. Occasionally eating a slice of pie won't kill you, but when you do, it's best to stick to one serving to prevent eating too many calories.

Fat

A homemade blueberry pie will likely be lower in fat than a store bought one, but the butter and crust used to prepare the pie contain high amounts of fat. A high-fat diet increases your risk of developing heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol. According to Nutrient Facts, a slice of a 9-inch blueberry pie weighs in at 20 g of fat, with 4 g of that being saturated fat. Your saturated fat intake should be no more than 7 percent of your daily fat intake, which for a 2,000 calorie diet is 15 g, reports MayoClinic.com. Eating blueberries with plain yogurt is an alternative dessert that is lower in fat and calories.

References

Article reviewed by Mia Paul Last updated on: Dec 28, 2010

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