If you didn't know fruit was good for you, you would not eat it. But, as much as you would prefer to eat potato chips and salsa all the time, you know that fruit is an important part of a balanced diet. Don't forget about fruit when you plan your weekly meals. Follow some basic tips to make it a more obvious choice.
Step 1
Buy fruit in all of its varieties. Although fresh apples, grapes and bananas may be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of eating fruit, don't forget that it also comes in canned, frozen and dried varieties. By purchasing some dried banana chips, frozen blueberries and canned peaches in addition to fresh fruit, you will always have fruit options, even when you have eaten your last apple.
Step 2
Prepare your fruit in advance to make it easily accessible. For example, store small baggies with dried peaches in your backpack or purse, and place a box of raisins in your car's glove compartment. Also, chop up fresh fruit slices or wash off some grapes in advance and store them in your refrigerator so that you can easily grab a bag when you want a quick snack.
Step 3
Plan your meals before you go shopping; make sure they include fruit. Breakfast cereal can be topped with bananas, low-fat yogurt can be mixed with frozen blueberries, and pancakes can be decorated with fresh strawberries. Seedless grapes make an easy side to your lunchtime sandwich. You can even top your dinner salad with chopped apples or sliced mandarin oranges.
Step 4
Dip your fruit to make it more interesting. Apple slices are delicious when dipped in peanut butter. Yogurt and cream cheese are great dips for just about any fruit. And, for the occasional treat, grab some small cups of dipping caramel and marshmallow cream for your fruit. Dip some fresh strawberries in hot, melted chocolate for a decadent treat.
Step 5
Drink some fruit, but not all of it. A serving of fruit juice counts as a serving of fruit, but it doesn't contain the fiber found in fresh fruit. Have a cup of orange juice with your breakfast, but make water your primary beverage. One way to drink fruit while not robbing yourself of important fiber is to blend it into a fruit smoothie with low-fat milk or yogurt.
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