Eating Fruit on Summer Diets

Those who enjoy fruit anytime of the year will particularly love the benefits of eating fruit as a part of their summer diets. Not only is fresh, summertime fruit a delicious addition to any meal, but fruit offers a multitude of nutritional and physical benefits.

Nutritional Benefits of Eating Fruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends fruits and vegetables as valuable sources of a variety of nutrients. In fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) emphasize the importance of adopting a plant-based diet. The guidelines suggest consumers fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables and limit solid fats and added sugars. Fruits offer a wide variety of nutrients, including the following:

• Calcium - Calcium is essential for healthy teeth, bones, and muscle function. Fruits that are a good source of calcium include blackberries, black currents, dates, grapefruit, mulberries, orange, pomegranate, and prickly pears.
• Fiber - Fruits that are high in fiber can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and certain cancers and aid in the digestive process. Fiber-rich fruits include apples, boysenberries, dates, grapefruit, guava, mango, oranges, papaya, pear, persimmons, raisins, and raspberries.

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