Most fruits are a vitamin-packed treat that are also supportive of your weight loss goals. You can easily enjoy an apple a day or a banana before your workout and these delicious and nutritious fruits will provide an abundance of nutrients that you need for energy, without an abundance of calories.
But not all fruits are created equal.
This is the one fruit you should stop eating every day because it slows your weight loss.
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Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is fruit that has had its water content removed, leaving you with an incredibly sweetened version of the fruit — one that is preserved and will last a lot longer than your average basket of apples, pears, and bananas.
These delish fruits are tempting, for sure, but they aren’t the best option if you are trying to lose weight or stick to a low-sugar diet.
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to dried fruit.
Let’s get the bad over with: dried fruits like raisins, dates, apricots, and papaya are high in calories and sugar, which includes both glucose and fructose, according to Healthline.
Here’s a look at the percentage of sugar you’ll find in a serving of five of the most popular dried fruits:
Raisins: 59%.
Dates: 64–66%.
Prunes: 38%.
Apricots: 53%.
Figs: 48%.
According to Healthline: “About 22–51% of this sugar content is fructose. Eating a lot of fructose may have negative health effects. This includes increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”
Unfortunately, because dried fruit is so sweet, it’s easy to get carried away and eat too much of it in one serving.
The whole truth about dried fruit is a bit more complex, though. This food can also be higher in fiber and more nutrient dense than ordinary fruit. In fact, if you are experiencing bowel issues, a handful of prunes or figs may prove to be the best remedy.
One way to keep dried fruit in your diet, while eliminating excess sugar that you can find in dried fruits, is by never choosing sugared or candied fruit. In many cases, you’ll literally see sprinkled sugar on dried fruits like mango or papaya. In other cases, fruit will come coated with syrup.
Read labels and forgo dried fruits that contain added sugar.
If you are on a low-carb diet, your best bet is to avoid dried fruits altogether. If you have more leeway in your diet, eat dried fruits in moderation and make sure the bulk of your snacking consists of low-sugar fruits and veggies.
