As the more people are living more hectic and busy lifestyles, getting the recommended daily amount of fruit to getting more difficult. However, research indicates that the antioxidant benefits of fruit should be enjoyed every day of the year.
In fact, the USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends five to nine daily servings of fruit and vegetables no matter what the season. Until recently, one remedy for those looking to enjoy the antioxidant benefits of fruit during the fall and winter months was to wait until the spring harvest. However, the wait is now over.
By the time you are finished with the article you will have the answer to solve this fruit dilemma. So what qualifies as a daily serving of fruit? Below is some information regarding daily servings of fruit and vegetables from the USDA:
o One medium-size fruit
o 1/2 cup raw, cooked, frozen or canned fruits (in 100% juice) or vegetables
o 3/4 cup (6 oz.) 100% fruit or vegetable juice
o 1/2 cup cooked, canned or frozen legumes (beans and peas)
o 1 cup raw, leafy vegetables
o 1/4 cup dried fruit
Source: USDA Food Pyramid Guide
So with fruit being seasonal or just plain hard to get sometimes, several options exist to achieve the 5 - 9 servings per day:
#1: Fruit Juices and Fruit Juice Concentrates: For example, tart cherry juice is fast becoming the first choice for those wanting to get a daily serving of fruit. Why tart cherry juice? The answer is simple, as people are living more active lifestyles, research indicates tart cherry juice can help maintain healthy joint* and soothe sore muscles*. One ounce of tart cherry juice concentrate mixed with 7 oz. of water will make one glass of 100% tart cherry juice. According to the USDA, one 6 oz. of 100% fruit juice counts towards a daily serving. So in addition to your morning orange juice, consider tart cherry juice concentrate.
#2: Dried Fruit: Dried cherries, dried blueberries, dried strawberries, organic dried cherries, raisins and organic dried blueberries are great way to get fruit into your diet everyday. For example, blueberries are a good source dietary fiber.
In fact, studies conducted by blueberry researcher Charles M. Mainland, Ph.D., professor of horticulture at North Carolina State University, show that dried blueberries actually pack an even bigger antioxidant punch than fresh blueberries. According to his research, dried blueberries offer four times greater antioxidant content than fresh blueberries. One source for dried blueberries is Traverse Bay Farms http://www.traversebayfarms.com. They will ship dried blueberries directly to your home or office.
If you are looking to add some dried fruit to your diet, Traverse Bay Farms has a number of fruits to choose from. According to the USDA, ¼ cup of dried fruit counts toward a daily serving.
#3: Frozen Fruit: You local grocery store usually has a huge selection of frozen fruit in the refrigeration section. Frozen fruit is a great to always have fruit in your diet.
#4: Super Fruit Supplements: While today's active and hectic lifestyles may inhibit the ability to fully enjoy fresh fruit, dried fruit or fruit juices on a daily basis, there is an excellent way of supplementing your daily intake of fruit antioxidants. An excellent solution is super fruit supplements. These are fruit-based supplements that start with whole fruit and encapsulate the vital phytochemicals of the underlying fruit.
An ideal source for super fruit supplements is Fruit Advantage http://www.fruitadvantage.com The company offers 5 proprietary fruit-based formulas, each offering the synergistic and natural health benefits of the underlying fruit for people who strive to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Here is list of the super fruit capsules offered by Fruit Advantage:
Fruit Advantage Pomegranate, Fruit Advantage Wild Blueberry, Fruit Advantage Cranberry and Fruit Advantage Cherry Prime. Each formula is made using the skin and pulp of the underlying fruit, laboratory tested, has a certificate of analysis and tested for heavy metals.
Now you several different ways to incorporate fruit and the natural health benefits of fruit into your diet on a daily basis.
Tony Anderson is a entrepreneur and avid writer