Remember the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away?' Well, given the busy lifestyle of people in most metro cities today, where there is no time to have a proper breakfast, munching on an apple looks almost impossible. Though people have become more conscious about eating healthy, most of them are still unaware of the benefits and importance of adding fruits to their diet. And often one misses out on adding fruits to their shopping list.
So how important are fruits in one's diet and how often should they consume them? "It is extremely important to include fruits in your daily diet," says Ranjani Raman, a dietitian and nutritionist consultant. She highlights that adding a variety of fruits to one's diet is a great way to keep monotony at bay, while also benefitting from their goodness. "Every fruit has different nutritional properties, and they help with the absorption of other nutrients too. Fibre is one of the most important nutrients. Sticking to seasonal fruits is advisable. For example, consuming guava and orange is a must during the winter season. One should avoid buying fruits that look glossy and polished since most of them are chemically treated. Washing and soaking them in salt water is recommended as well," she advises.
She says that one should consume at least one or two servings of fruit everyday (one kind of fruit at a time). Eating a whole fruit is better than having it in a salad or as juice. "Dry fruits too play an important role in one's diet as they have a lot of concentrated nutrients in them. I recommend people to have fruits as snacks and not include them in their meals. The best thing is to have it first thing in the morning after a glass of water," adds Ranjani.
Shivani Nigam, an entrepreneur and mother of a four-year-old girl, says that she makes sure to add at least one type of fruit for breakfast. "I mostly have it raw or consume the juice. Sometimes it also happens that if we want to have a light dinner, we compensate by eating fruits. Since my daughter is not very fond of consuming them directly, Iadd fruits like strawberries, apple and bananas to the porridge that I prepare for her," she says.
Apple, banana, watermelon, pomegranate and papaya are a few of the fruits that are consumed in her home. She agrees that fruits should be eaten whole and not in any form of juice. "I am totally against tetrapack fruit juices, since they have added artificial flavours which are harmful for one's health in the long-run," says Shivani. Considering seasonal fruits as a must in her shopping basket is Sanjukta Sharma, a professional. She says, "Though my husband eats all kinds of fruits, I face a challenge when it comes to my son. So I make it interesting for him by preparing milkshakes, sandwiches, baking a fruit cake or adding a few fruits in the custard. Seasonal fruits are a must in my house and I make sure to consume one portion everyday."
Adding a few pieces of fruit to one's breakfast cereal, preparing fruit salads and making dips with butterfruit, avocado, 'chikoo' or bananas are some of the easy ways to incorporate fruits in one's diet. "They also help to detoxify the system and strengthen the immune system. It is very important for people to consume water-based fruits like watermelon, sweet lime, orange and marshmelon. They have great cleansing properties," says Ranjini.
So how important are fruits in one's diet and how often should they consume them? "It is extremely important to include fruits in your daily diet," says Ranjani Raman, a dietitian and nutritionist consultant. She highlights that adding a variety of fruits to one's diet is a great way to keep monotony at bay, while also benefitting from their goodness. "Every fruit has different nutritional properties, and they help with the absorption of other nutrients too. Fibre is one of the most important nutrients. Sticking to seasonal fruits is advisable. For example, consuming guava and orange is a must during the winter season. One should avoid buying fruits that look glossy and polished since most of them are chemically treated. Washing and soaking them in salt water is recommended as well," she advises.
She says that one should consume at least one or two servings of fruit everyday (one kind of fruit at a time). Eating a whole fruit is better than having it in a salad or as juice. "Dry fruits too play an important role in one's diet as they have a lot of concentrated nutrients in them. I recommend people to have fruits as snacks and not include them in their meals. The best thing is to have it first thing in the morning after a glass of water," adds Ranjani.
Shivani Nigam, an entrepreneur and mother of a four-year-old girl, says that she makes sure to add at least one type of fruit for breakfast. "I mostly have it raw or consume the juice. Sometimes it also happens that if we want to have a light dinner, we compensate by eating fruits. Since my daughter is not very fond of consuming them directly, Iadd fruits like strawberries, apple and bananas to the porridge that I prepare for her," she says.
Apple, banana, watermelon, pomegranate and papaya are a few of the fruits that are consumed in her home. She agrees that fruits should be eaten whole and not in any form of juice. "I am totally against tetrapack fruit juices, since they have added artificial flavours which are harmful for one's health in the long-run," says Shivani. Considering seasonal fruits as a must in her shopping basket is Sanjukta Sharma, a professional. She says, "Though my husband eats all kinds of fruits, I face a challenge when it comes to my son. So I make it interesting for him by preparing milkshakes, sandwiches, baking a fruit cake or adding a few fruits in the custard. Seasonal fruits are a must in my house and I make sure to consume one portion everyday."
Adding a few pieces of fruit to one's breakfast cereal, preparing fruit salads and making dips with butterfruit, avocado, 'chikoo' or bananas are some of the easy ways to incorporate fruits in one's diet. "They also help to detoxify the system and strengthen the immune system. It is very important for people to consume water-based fruits like watermelon, sweet lime, orange and marshmelon. They have great cleansing properties," says Ranjini.
Remember the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away?’ Well, given the busy lifestyle of people in most metro cities today, where there is no time to have a proper breakfast, munching on an apple looks almost impossible. Though people have become more conscious about eating healthy, most of them are still unaware of the benefits and importance of adding fruits to their diet. And often one misses out on adding fruits to their shopping list.
So how important are fruits in one’s diet and how often should they consume them? "It is extremely important to include fruits in your daily diet,” says Ranjani Raman, a dietitian and nutritionist consultant. She highlights that adding a variety of fruits to one’s diet is a great way to keep monotony at bay, while also benefitting from their goodness. "Every fruit has different nutritional properties, and they help with the absorption of other nutrients too. Fibre is one of the most important nutrients. Sticking to seasonal fruits is advisable. For example, consuming guava and orange is a must during the winter season. One should avoid buying fruits that look glossy and polished since most of them are chemically treated. Washing and soaking them in salt water is recommended as well,” she advises.
She says that one should consume at least one or two servings of fruit everyday (one kind of fruit at a time). Eating a whole fruit is better than having it in a salad or as juice. "Dry fruits too play an important role in one’s diet as they have a lot of concentrated nutrients in them. I recommend people to have fruits as snacks and not include them in their meals. The best thing is to have it first thing in the morning after a glass of water,” adds Ranjani.
Shivani Nigam, an entrepreneur and mother of a four-year-old girl, says that she makes sure to add at least one type of fruit for breakfast. "I mostly have it raw or consume the juice. Sometimes it also happens that if we want to have a light dinner, we compensate by eating fruits. Since my daughter is not very fond of consuming them directly, I add fruits like strawberries, apple and bananas to the porridge that I prepare for her,” she says.
Apple, banana, watermelon, pomegranate and papaya are a few of the fruits that are consumed in her home. She agrees that fruits should be eaten whole and not in any form of juice. "I am totally against tetrapack fruit juices, since they have added artificial flavours which are harmful for one’s health in the long-run,” says Shivani. Considering seasonal fruits as a must in her shopping basket is Sanjukta Sharma, a professional. She says, "Though my husband eats all kinds of fruits, I face a challenge when it comes to my son. So I make it interesting for him by preparing milkshakes, sandwiches, baking a fruit cake or adding a few fruits in the custard. Seasonal fruits are a must in my house and I make sure to consume one portion everyday.”
Adding a few pieces of fruit to one’s breakfast cereal, preparing fruit salads and making dips with butterfruit, avocado, 'chikoo’ or bananas are some of the easy ways to incorporate fruits in one’s diet. "They also help to detoxify the system and strengthen the immune system. It is very important for people to consume water-based fruits like watermelon, sweet lime, orange and marshmelon. They have great cleansing properties,” says Ranjini.
So how important are fruits in one’s diet and how often should they consume them? "It is extremely important to include fruits in your daily diet,” says Ranjani Raman, a dietitian and nutritionist consultant. She highlights that adding a variety of fruits to one’s diet is a great way to keep monotony at bay, while also benefitting from their goodness. "Every fruit has different nutritional properties, and they help with the absorption of other nutrients too. Fibre is one of the most important nutrients. Sticking to seasonal fruits is advisable. For example, consuming guava and orange is a must during the winter season. One should avoid buying fruits that look glossy and polished since most of them are chemically treated. Washing and soaking them in salt water is recommended as well,” she advises.
She says that one should consume at least one or two servings of fruit everyday (one kind of fruit at a time). Eating a whole fruit is better than having it in a salad or as juice. "Dry fruits too play an important role in one’s diet as they have a lot of concentrated nutrients in them. I recommend people to have fruits as snacks and not include them in their meals. The best thing is to have it first thing in the morning after a glass of water,” adds Ranjani.
Shivani Nigam, an entrepreneur and mother of a four-year-old girl, says that she makes sure to add at least one type of fruit for breakfast. "I mostly have it raw or consume the juice. Sometimes it also happens that if we want to have a light dinner, we compensate by eating fruits. Since my daughter is not very fond of consuming them directly, I add fruits like strawberries, apple and bananas to the porridge that I prepare for her,” she says.
Apple, banana, watermelon, pomegranate and papaya are a few of the fruits that are consumed in her home. She agrees that fruits should be eaten whole and not in any form of juice. "I am totally against tetrapack fruit juices, since they have added artificial flavours which are harmful for one’s health in the long-run,” says Shivani. Considering seasonal fruits as a must in her shopping basket is Sanjukta Sharma, a professional. She says, "Though my husband eats all kinds of fruits, I face a challenge when it comes to my son. So I make it interesting for him by preparing milkshakes, sandwiches, baking a fruit cake or adding a few fruits in the custard. Seasonal fruits are a must in my house and I make sure to consume one portion everyday.”
Adding a few pieces of fruit to one’s breakfast cereal, preparing fruit salads and making dips with butterfruit, avocado, 'chikoo’ or bananas are some of the easy ways to incorporate fruits in one’s diet. "They also help to detoxify the system and strengthen the immune system. It is very important for people to consume water-based fruits like watermelon, sweet lime, orange and marshmelon. They have great cleansing properties,” says Ranjini.