When it comes to fruit, the word “worst” may be a little misleading. Just about every form of fruit falls into the healthy food column. However, due to the high sugar content in some fruits, dieters may disagree. So here is a list of best and worst fruits for you to eat based on nutritional value, sugar content, and serving size.
Best Fruits:
Avocado
Loaded with soluble fiber and heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, many now consider the avocado a superfood. An avocado also contains more potassium than a banana, and 20 different vitamins and minerals. A 3 ½ ounce serving has just 1 gram of sugar.
Blueberries
Although blueberries have a relatively high 15 grams of sugar per cup, a normal serving size would usually be about half that amount. Pound for pound, they rank higher in antioxidants than almost all other fruits, vegetables, spices, and seasonings.
Grapefruits
An average size grapefruit contains 11 grams of sugar. Grapefruits are low in calories and an excellent source of vitamins A and C. They also support clear-healthy skin, help lower risk for disease, and are known to promote weight loss.
Strawberries
Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, strawberries protect your heart, increase good cholesterol, and improve blood pressure. They’re also sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and contain just 7 grams of sugar in a 1 cup serving. Studies suggest 3 servings per week for best results.
Worst Fruits:
Bananas
A medium-sized banana has a whopping 400-plus mg of potassium which is known to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, along with this comes as much as 15 grams of sugar per serving. So unless you’re potassium deficient, bananas might be one fruit to avoid.
Grapes
Grapes contain high levels of a powerful anti-oxidant called resveratrol. Resveratrol has been found to help fight cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. At 23 grams of sugar per cup, fruit lovers, looking to lose weight, should go easy on the grapes.
Pineapple
For centuries, Central and South Americans have used Pineapple to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Pineapples have a wealth of vitamin C, beta carotene, soluble fiber, and a unique mixture of enzymes known as bromelain. However, they also contain 17 grams of sugar per serving.
Watermelons
Watermelons are rich in a naturally occurring chemical called Lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage. However, watermelon contains 17 grams of sugar in a 1 inch thick wedge. Watermelon lovers could easily devour three or four times that in a single sitting.
So remember, all fruits have some redeeming value, and even fruits that are high in sugar play a part in living a healthy lifestyle. As you probably already know, drinking plenty of water is the best thing to snack on throughout the day but drinking fresh, clean water is most important. Replace your fridge water filter frequently to help remove any harmful contaminants that can be found in your home’s drinking water.
