Fruits.
How often do you buy fruit with all the good intentions in the world, but then forget about it until it’s getting past its best? Well, I have a solution for you! Go and check out your fruit bowl now. Open your fridge and see what you have hiding in there! Take it all out and put it in front of you! We are going to transform all that delicious fruit into something you will want to eat, any time of day, whether as a snack, a dessert, or for breakfast.
Nutrition.
We all know that fruit is good for us, but often we overlook all the benefits fruit can bring. Choosing a selection of fruit and combining them into a fruit salad is a delicious and healthy way to make the most of these.
Eat the Rainbow
You may have heard the saying ‘eat the rainbow’ and perhaps thought this related to vegetables, but of course it includes fruits too. Let’s start with red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries – a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help support the immune system and promote healthy skin. Orange fruits such as oranges and mangoes are packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene, which can help support eye health and boost immunity. Yellow fruits like pineapple and bananas are rich in vitamin C and potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure and support heart health. Then we have green fruits such as kiwi and honeydew melon being excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, which can help promote healthy bones and immune function. We even have blue and purple fruits such as blueberries and grapes, which are high in antioxidants, helping protect against oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. Not strictly a rainbow colour, but we also could classify fruits into white fruits such as apples and pears, which are rich in dietary fibre, helping to regulate digestion and support gut health.
Seasonal Fruit
Of course, in an ideal world we would eat what is in season locally, but at times this proves a bit too difficult, and when the shops are full of all kinds of fruits, then there is a lot of choice.
Fruit Salad Recipe
One of the best things about fruit salad is that you can mix and match different fruits to create a unique and flavoursome combination. If you choose seasonal fruits, you can be certain that they are at their peak freshness and flavour. In the UK in Spring, there is a limited choice of locally produced fruits, but soon we will start to see young rhubarb (cook before adding), then early strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
You can leave fruit with skin on, or remove it if that’s to your preference. Chop the fruit into bite sized pieces and add to a nice large bowl.
To make your fruit salad even more delicious, try adding some mint leaves or a splash of lemon juice. You could also mix in some chopped cucumber (there seems to be a lot around at the minute)! for some added crunch.
Tinned & Frozen fruit
Of course, you can make fruit salad with any fruits you have available and one of my favourite additions is tinned pineapple in juice. Adding a tinned fruit gives that little bit extra flavour profile from the juice (or syrup) and of course, all fruit is welcome so frozen works well too.
Added extras
As with most things, there are always ways of making something that little bit different. With fruit salad, you could serve with yogurt, cream, ice-cream, custard or cereal (it’s great on porridge or granola). You can sprinkle with toasted nuts, or shredded coconut, even a sprinkle of your favourite spice, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Sharing
I hope you find time to nourish your body with some tasty fruit salad and tidy up your fruit bowl! I love seeing your adaptions and interpretations of my recipes and I’d love to see and hear what is in your favourite fruit salad! I’m off now to chop mine up! It will keep in the fridge covered for 3-5 days (depending what you put in it).
Please share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.
Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!
I hope to speak with you soon
Laurena x