Dried Fruit: Healthy or Harmful

Dried fruit, a staple of salads and trail mixes everywhere is a bit of a conundrum when it comes to healthy eating – I mean, it’s fruit, it’s got to be healthy, right? Well, not quite. Let’s break it down to see what’s healthy, and what could be harmful, about dried fruit: Pros:

• High in fibre, potassium, and iron
• Convenient easy snack
• Adds sweetness to salads, baked goods, or trail mix
• Longer shelf life than fresh fruit
• Good source of antioxidants
• Dehydration causes some fruit to become more nutrient dense

Cons:

• The process before packaging can include sugary or otherwise unsavoury additives like pectin and acid
• Many have added sulfites, which many people are sensitive to
• Pre-treatment and dehydration process can get rid of a lot of nutrients
• Higher calorie count than fresh fruit per serving
• Smaller, therefore more likely to consume more than if we were eating fresh fruit.

Verdict: While not a perfect substitute for candy and chips, if you enjoy dried fruit then there’s no reason to cut it out of your diet entirely. Simply practice moderation, sticking to fresh fruit for major snacking. You can also seek out organic, no added sugar dried fruit or try making your own for optimum nutrients.  

Sources:

http://www.kitchendaily.com/read/pros-and-cons-dried-fruit-it-healthy

https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/07/the-truth-about-dried-fruit/?utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20140730&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuK7NZKXonjHpfs

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http://wellandgood.com/2014/06/22/why-dried-fruit-is-not-a-healthy-snack/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/231523-health-benefits-of-dried-fruit/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/ask-a-health-expert/is-dried-fruit-good-or-bad-for-me/article9843229/