When it comes to nutritious and portable foods that taste good and are easy to digest, nothing beats the wide variety of fruits available in your local supermarket. From the common to the exotic, there are literally hundreds of healthy choices you...
Fruit: you know it as nutritious, delicious and sweet. Even though fruit contains natural fructose sugar, you may still eat it. Fruit is one of the important food groups that your body needs to stay healthy. According to the 2008 Glycemic Index...
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Food Pyramid, adults should consume 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit each day and 2 1/2 to three cups of vegetables per day....
Iron plays several important roles in your body; most importantly, iron is part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. If you don't eat enough iron-rich foods, it can lead to iron-deficiency anemia that may cause symptoms, including...
All foods, including fruits and vegetables, have a pH range from zero to 14. High-acid foods have a pH closer to zero. Consuming a large amount of high-acid foods can damage your teeth and irritate your stomach. Produce with a pH closer to 14 are...
Many people do not get enough vitamin C, an important nutrient, advises the American Academy of Family Physicians. Your body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, a key component of connective tissue, as well as L-carnitine, an amino acid that...
Most Americans over the age of 4 do not get enough fruits in their diet, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Increasing your daily fruit intake can lower your risk of developing certain diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, and...
Your body uses vitamins, organic compounds, minerals and inorganic elements as nutrients to carry out a variety of key processes. An electrolyte is any mineral or molecule that your body uses to conduct electric charges, perform muscular action...
Fruits and vegetables provide your body with soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber, which is also found in breads and grain products, reduces constipation and contributes to your digestive health while soluble fiber reduces your...
Though the word "protein" usually conjures up images of meat, fruits and vegetables can also be good sources of protein; they are lower in saturated fat and higher in dietary fiber than animal sources and when regularly eaten can help lower...
Fruits contain fiber, phytochemicals and a variety of minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamins A, C, E and K, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Many fruits are also packed with minerals such as calcium,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2009 over a quarter of all Americans were obese. Among certain groups such as high school dropouts and the elderly, obesity affects one out of every 3 people. Eating a diet high in...
Over the last few decades, the American diet has become increasingly filled with fats and processed foods, leading to an increase in health issues. Extremely busy lives mean less time for cooking and more settling for fast meals, which can be high...
Foods that are considered low in citrus are actually low in citric acid. Citrus refers to a type of fruit in the Rutaceae family, while citric acid is an organic compound found within the fruit. Citric acid is found in many types of fruits but is...
When it comes to getting that midday energy boost, energy bars and drinks aren’t always ideal. Energy bars are often little more than a source of calories, and energy drinks full of caffeine can cause unwanted side effects such as...
If you are sensitive to sugar-alcohols -- whether you have irritable bowel syndrome or are simply intolerant to these laxative sugars -- you may have noticed that some fruits, such as apples, pears, nectarines, blackberries, avocado, cherries,...
Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content can help satisfy nutrient recommendations and keep you hydrated. If you don't drink the recommended amount of water in a day, fruits and vegetables can provide you with supplemental fluid,...
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is linked to many health benefits. It helps the body remove free radicals that damage cells, tissues and organs. Alpha-lipoic acid can also help prevent infections. According to the University of Maryland...
High blood pressure is a common medical condition in the United States, affecting more than 65 million American adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. But people can lower their blood pressure by eating a healthy diet that...
Your body requires protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fat, vitamins and minerals to grow strong, shiny hair. Inadequate nutrition, extreme dieting or illness may result in hair loss. Your body prioritizes nutrients, with vital organs and...
Fruit is healthy to eat, as the majority of fruits have little fat content and they are cholesterol-free. Fruit lowers cholesterol and promotes healthy bowel movements due to the fiber fruit contains. A diet that includes a significant amount of...
Pesticides are often used on produce to control insects as well as weeds and fungi. The Environmental Protection Agency sets limits on tolerable levels of pesticide residue on produce. Between 2004 and 2006, the Food and Drug Administration tested...
Fruit contains many beneficial vitamins but two of them stand out, according to The European Food Information Council. Vitamin A, abundant in many yellow and red fruits, serves as an antioxidant and helps protect skin and eyes. Vitamin C found in...
Although many foods contain potassium, fruits are excellent sources of this mineral. Potassium is necessary for metabolism, muscle tissue regulation and proper functioning of body cells. According to the United States Department of Agriculture,...
Fruits and vegetables are natural and nutritious foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, according to the USDA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of chronic...
There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Fruits and vegetables are complex carbohydrates which supply nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as well as carbohydrates and protein to your body. Fruits and vegetables are so...
Most of the food you eat turns into sugar, and serves as a source of energy for your body. People with diabetes have problems utilizing this sugar because of problems with the production and supply of insulin. While diet plays an important role in...
There's a lot of reasons for packing fruit on your next ski trip, hike or bike ride. First, fruits are loaded in vitamins, minerals and fiber and most importantly, they come in their own packaging. Fruits are usually classified by the number of...
Your body pH is a measure the acidity of the basic fluids in your body. A pH value under 7 indicates you have an acidic body pH, a value over 7 indicates an alkaline pH, and a value around 7 means you have a neutral body pH. Maintaining a slightly...