Are fruit cups healthy?
Today, the health benefits of fruit cups are being questioned. Are Fruit Cups Healthy? People likely assume that a fruit cup is healthy because it's primarily made up of, well, fruit. But what else is in that plastic packaging? Despite being low-cal, there can be well over 15 grams of sugar in your beloved fruit cup, depending on the brand.
What kind of fruit is best for fruit cups?
What kind of fruit is best in fruit cups? You can really use what you have on hand or what the kids like and change it up each time. You can use diced apricots, peaches, cherries, strawberries, clementines, grapes, blueberries, and/or apples, depending on what I happen to have on hand.
Are fruit cups really healthier than goldfish?
Growing up, I was always told that fruit is the healthiest option, i.e. pick the fruit cups instead of the Goldfish for snack-time. However, recent studies are challenging the truth behind the healthiness of fruit cups. That being said, I have to wonder: did I miss out on years of Pepperidge Farm snacks for nothing?
What is a fruit cup?
Usually, it is fruit that has been peeled, cut up, and put in syrup or fruit juice to preserve it. Nothing beats a fresh piece of fruit for nutrients, fiber, and the environment (biodegradable packaging!) but fruit cups can be great for situations where fresh fruit is not an option.
Are Dole mixed fruit cups healthy?
They are fat free and lower in sugar than a traditional fruit cocktail in heavy syrup, but they contain more sugar and sodium than fresh fruit and less fiber. Although Dole Fruit Bowls offer health benefits, eating raw, unpackaged fruit gives you better, more complete nutrition.
Are fruit cups in syrup healthy?
While the super-sweet taste of fruit in heavy syrup may appeal more to kids, it isn't healthy for them to consume a lot of added sugar. Fruit cups that instead contain fruit juice can be a good compromise, since they are a bit sweeter than fruit packed in water.Dec 6, 2018
Is there a lot of sugar in fruit cups?
Despite being low-cal, there can be well over 15 grams of sugar in your beloved fruit cup, depending on the brand. Thanks to Heart.org, I know that a woman's daily sugar limit is 25 grams. Your turn to do the math. Fruit cups can also contain stevia extract, ascorbic acid, and countless preservatives.
Are mixed fruits healthy?
Blended fruit isn't nutritionally equivalent to the same fruit left whole, according to some experts. Although, of course, some properties remain present, including soluble fiber, blending can break down insoluble fiber.Apr 9, 2019
Are fruit cups in 100% juice healthy?
The Bottom Line. While fresh fruit is typically the ideal, the bottom line is that fruit cups can be a healthy option—so long as you are opting for varieties that are packed in water or 100 percent fruit juice, says McCormick.
Are fruit cups healthier than canned fruit?
We now have a much healthier option when it comes to grab-and-go fruit cups. Canned fruit packed in water is exactly what it sounds like. The diced fruit you love is packed in water to keep it fresh and juicy without the added sugar. A full-cup serving contains just 7 grams of carbs and 6 grams of sugar.Nov 22, 2019
Should fruit cups be refrigerated?
Not necessarily. Like fruits packaged in cans, fruit cups, which are packaged in plastic, are heat- pasteurized to ensure they are pathogen-free. Many are shelf stable, meaning they can be stored outside the refrigerator. Others, however, require refrigeration.Jun 18, 2009
Is frozen fruit healthy?
Depending on the fruit, some may retain more nutrients frozen while others are better fresh. Nutrients in fruit are at their peak right after being picked. Because fruit is frozen quickly, it retains nutritional value. If your fresh fruit is truly fresh, the nutrient value may be similar.May 29, 2021
What are some healthy snack ideas?
Mixed nuts. Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack, providing the perfect balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. ... Red bell pepper with guacamole. ... Greek yogurt and mixed berries. ... Apple slices with peanut butter. ... Cottage cheese and fruit. ... Celery sticks with cream cheese. ... Kale chips. ... Dark chocolate and almonds.More items...
What are the benefits of mixed fruit?
Current research indicates that fruit and vegetable concentrates significantly increase serum levels of antioxidant provitamins and vitamins (β-carotene, vitamins C and E) and folate and reduce homocysteine and markers of oxidative stress.
What are unhealthy smoothies?
The Unhealthiest Restaurant SmoothiesDairy Queen Tripleberry Premium Fruit Smoothie.Jamba Juice Peanut Butter Moo'd Smoothie.Smoothie King 'The Hulk' Strawberry.Baskin Robbins Mango Banana Smoothie.Planet Smoothie Captain Immunity.Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine.McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie.Nov 13, 2020
What are the most unhealthy fruits?
Worst Fruit for Weight LossBananas. Bananas are a great replacement for a pre-workout energy bar which is why you often see professional tennis players snacking on them in between games. ... Mango. Mangos are one of the most commonly consumed fruits in the world. ... Grapes. ... Pomegranate. ... Apples. ... Blueberries. ... Watermelon. ... Lemon.More items...•Mar 26, 2019
Need a refresher?
If you were in elementary school pre-2010 when lunch boxes were filled with Doritos and Capri Suns instead of kale chips and Kind bars, then you probably had your fair share of fruit cups, too. For those of you who've forgotten, fruit cups are the on-the-go snack packs filled with fruit such as peaches, pears, and pineapples.
Are Fruit Cups Healthy?
People likely assume that a fruit cup is healthy because it's primarily made up of, well, fruit. But what else is in that plastic packaging?
The Additive Breakdown
Stevia Extract: While stevia is a natural sugar substitute, it has its downsides. It's made from popular flower you find in your backyard. However, according to the FDA, the " high-purity steviol glycosides may be lawfully marketed and added to food products sold in the United States.
So, what now?
Our childhood may not have been a complete lie, but it was definitely deceitful. Don't worry, fresh fruit still exists without preservatives or artificial sugar.
Is canned fruit healthy? We have the answer once and for all
Yes, canned fruit is a good option when you’re craving something out of season. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavor and sweetness of peaches, mandarin oranges and pineapple all year round. But the other contents in the can definitely affect how good it is for you. If you’ve been Googling “Is canned fruit healthy?” we’ve got the answers.
Types of Canned Fruit
Canned fruit is usually labeled by what type of liquid is canned with the fruit. Typically, there are three kinds of packing liquid: heavy syrup, light syrup and juice. While there isn’t much difference between the calorie counts of fresh and canned fruit, the packing liquid does have an impact.
Which Canned Fruit Is Healthiest?
Due to calorie count and overall nutrition value, water-packed canned fruit is the healthiest choice. The heavy and light syrups are of little nutritional value other than calories and are very high in sugar. The fruit packed in juice contains significantly less added sugar than syrup-packed canned fruit.
What to Consider When Choosing Canned Fruit
When choosing canned fruit, keep an eye out for the sugar content. Fruits are rich in natural sugar, so you don’t need any added sweeteners in the can. The American Diabetes Association recommends buying canned fruit with “unsweetened” or “no sugar added” on its label.
Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad
My sister-in-law introduced me to this colorful chicken salad with a delicious homemade dressing and canned mandarin oranges. I reduced the oil and salt and switched to light soy sauce. Sometimes I substitute toasted sesame seeds for the nuts. —Renee Heimerl, Oakfield, Wisconsin
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?
If you’d rather skip all of my tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the fruit cup recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
HOW TO MAKE FRUIT CUPS WITH MIXED BERRIES
There are really only a couple of steps to making this recipe, and most of it involves prep work like washing and slicing.
DO FRUIT CUPS NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED?
If you're not serving the fruit right away, then yes, I would refrigerate them. And also refrigerate any leftover fruit.
HOW LONG DO FRUIT CUPS LAST?
They'll be at their best the first 1-2 days after preparing the fruit. After that, they'll start to look a bit poorly, and they may not be quite as flavorful.
CAN YOU FREEZE FRUIT CUPS?
All of these berries can be frozen, but this will definitely change the texture of your fruit when you thaw the cups out.
SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
Stackable Bowl Strainer – I like to soak any type of fresh fruit or vegetable in a mixture of vinegar and water, then rinse well before eating.
GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE
If you love these fruit salad cups as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!
Fruit Cups
We love the convenience of store-bought fruit cups and have them often—but I have found that my toddler LOVES this homemade version and the method is so quick and easy that these have become a snack time staple for us.
Easy Fruit Cups
Transform diced fruit into delicious homemade fruit cups that rival store-bought in terms of flavor and cost. You can make more cups or less, according to your preference.
Notes
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze these into popsicles. Finely dice the fruit so it’s easy to eat with a spoon (just like store-bought fruit cups). To ensure that the apple is easy to chew for younger toddlers, remove the skin and dice it finely.) Remove pits from cherries, apricots, and peaches.
Need A Refresher?
Are Fruit Cups Healthy?
The Additive Breakdown
- While fresh fruit is typically the ideal, the bottom line is that fruit cups can be a healthy option—so long as you are opting for varieties that are packed in water or 100 percent fruit juice, says McCormick. Fruit cups deliver vitamins and minerals, which make them a better snack choice over chips or cookies, which only deliver empty calories. Fr...
So, What Now?