Health is an important factor nowadays. With the increase in the amount of pollution and the relatively lesser immunity in us humans, staying healthy is integral to match the pace of today’s world. As a result, most of us follow a strict diet. And, as such, end up sacrificing a lot of food stuffs. The first thing we forego are snacks. The time between meals is the time we tend to lose control the most, as the gap seems way too long. However, one healthy source of snacks which are effective stopgaps are dry fruits. No surprise though, as our childhood generally has dry fruits in one way or another. Many dry fruits provide major nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. And so, here are listed the top ten most beneficial dry fruits for your munch time. Stack up on these ASAP!
Yes, apart from the exquisite juice, dried cranberries are also excellent for the body. This is due to the nutrients present in them, which have an immunity boosting effect. These also increase the infection fighting capabilities of our body. All of these, combined with the delicately sour taste, make dried cranberries a must have for seasonal changes. Dried cranberries are also effective in ridding one of a urinary tract infection or a cough/cold. If relieving yourself is, well, “stingy”, dried cranberries can actually be helpful to you. Plus, they won’t tell anyone. Win-win!
Cherries used as toppings are a common sight nowadays. Those are dried cherries, by the way. Cherries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which is proven to increase the immunity of our body. Dried cherries only make this sweeter (excuse the pun), as they increase they are a concentrated form of the original fruit. This does not mean that cherries are not as healthy, it just goes to show that cherries have more use than “whipped cream’s best friend”. Even so, I still feel the rightful place of a cherry is atop a beautiful Black Forest cake. Delicious, AND healthy. Well, at least the former is completely true.
Apricots usher in the season of summer, along with loads of iron and dietary fibers. The peach-plum intermediate tasting fruit is a good source of vitamin C and A, too. Dried apricots are even better, considering the increase in concentration of nutrients. Next time you fear you’re losing your eyesight, or even your “natural filter”, ensure you have dried apricots to munch on. You’ll notice their effect on you soon enough, considering regular intake of the fruit. Pop some in your mouth next time you check your phone, that’s bound to be a good way to ensure an adequate amount of the fruit has been ingested. Let me know how that worked out, too!
Ah, the king of all fruits. One of the better reasons of summer season (could be jingle in itself!). However, sun dry some of these and you have an all-year, storable source of many vitamins, namely vitamin A, C and E. You could say it “ACE”d the competition. No? Alright, moving on. Dried mangoes are also an amazing source of antioxidants. The king looks out for all his subjects, always. Even after you dry him, wring him off all his moisture, the mango will continue serving you. If only all of the politicians looked out for us as such.
Blueberries are the undermined berries of the lot. Most people have a brush with them in muffins and ice creams alone. However, blueberries are a proven source of vitamin A, B and C. That also makes it one of the few foodstuffs to get the order of its vitamins correct. Furthermore, blueberries are extremely good for the functioning of the Central Nervous System. Feeling a little zany lately? Get some dried blueberries, stick them in your pocket and munch away to ensure your sanity is in check.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. We’ve all heard this saying. Legend has it, the doctors got really angry, and took their own sweet revenge. They ripped all the moisture out of an apple in hopes to crush its spirit. However, as luck would have it, dried apples are rich in iron just like their fresh counterparts. Further, they contain a storehouse of photo nutrients, which help in overcoming the repercussions of Chemotherapy. Fights cancer, provides iron and vitamin A; no wonder they prove to be a worthy rival to medicine men.
One of the fruits I loved in pies and cakes, plums are a rich source of vital nutrients and are packed with vitamins. Dried plums, or “prunes”, can be considered as a natural replacement to multi-vitamin tablets. So, the next time you feel you have too much medication, replace your vitamin supplements with dried plums. Ease out the tablets, however, and don’t stop suddenly! Also, plums improve the digestive tract. Provides vitamins and cleans the body from the inside, a big yes from my side!
Okay, this would please many people who know of the fact that tomatoes are actually fruits, not vegetables. However, they play both side of the field, and perform their duties very well. They are a rich source of nutrients and have a tangy taste some people love. Dried tomatoes, too, are rich in nutrients and, surprisingly, retain their tangy flavour. They are a great source of vitamin C and cancer fighting lycopene. They are also jam packed with antioxidants. So, in short, they increase your immunity, help you fight cancer, and make your skin glow. That’s enough to keep some dried tomatoes handy during snack time.
Figs are THE dry fruits for all the women out there. They are rich in iron and Folic acid, which are blood building minerals. Don’t get me wrong, no fruit is sexist, figs are no exception. They are also useful in reducing blood pressure due to a high potassium content. So, relieve your stress with some fig munching. That’ll do wonders for your body, and figs have a pleasant taste, too.
I’m sure most of you would have rejected this article instantly if raisins did not make the list. These dried versions of grapes are sweet and non fattening. Raisins have a low sodium content, good for handling high blood pressure. Also, raisins are known to improve sight, dental health and bone quality. For the men who are facing difficulties “behind closed doors”, raisins are also known to relieve sexual dysfunction. Keep some in your pocket and snack on them for a while. Notice the difference on your own.
While it is true that fruits are important, dried fruits are a handy substitute when you want the goodness of a fruit without the responsibility of ensuring the quality of the fruit. Dried fruits are an excellent gifting idea, too, owing to their many health benefits. They are nature’s snacks to us, and boy, did nature do a god job preparing them for us! Keep a mixture of these in your pocket and never feel guilty during snack time. Happy munching!