It’s no secret that eating fruit is good for you. That kind of knowledge has been crammed into our heads from a very early age. However, certain times are better than others for our body to break down fruit in the most efficient and useful way. Remember, your body needs 3-4 servings of fruit daily, which equates to about 2-2 1/2 cups of fruit per day.
You may be surprised to hear when you should eat fruit (I know I was). Read on to find out when you should eat your fruit for maximum benefits!
Eating Fruit in the Morning is Best
Due to their high fructose content, it’s best to eat fruit in the morning after our body’s been shut down for the night and needs a quick boost. If you eat fruit too close to bedtime, the high sugar levels will keep you from getting a proper night of sleep. Fruit is easily digested and broken down into its nutrients by the body’s digestive system, so you should always eat it right before you need energy, like first thing in the morning or before lunch.
After eating fruit, wait 1-2 hours for your body to fully digest it before eating a meal. This will give you enough time so you don’t feel bloated or gassy, and your intestines are clear and ready for the next food source.
Never Eat Fruit With a Meal
A little-known fact is that you should never eat fruit with anything but more fruit. While eating a fruit salad is alright, as long as you don’t have too many non-fruit ingredients; however, eating them with too much other food slows the digestive process of the normally quick-digesting fruit. This includes smoothies. While it’s okay to consume a smoothie with a piece of fruit or two, some nut milk or coconut milk, and maybe even some veggies, you should still avoid drinking the smoothie alongside a meal. Also, don’t use milk in your smoothies every time. Switch it up with water on occasion to get your digestive tract happy.
Why Eating Fruit at These Times Improves Your Health and Happiness
By eating fruit early on in the day, you’ll get a quick boost of energy and nourishment to get you through the day. Your increase in energy (and a decrease in hunger) will keep you happy and make it easier to make good decisions. This improvement in willpower will also help you stick to exercise goals, be friendlier towards your significant other or coworkers, and get more done.
In addition to these amazing benefits, eating fruit also helps to promote weight loss! You could be well on your way to getting that bikini body you’ve always wanted. Fruits contain plenty of nutrients, fiber, and healthy carbs to keep your body looking and feeling good all day long.
Finally, different fruits offer different nutrients. Most of them offer vitamin C, but did you know avocados offer vitamins K, B5, B6, and E, as well as potassium, folate, and more? By mixing up your fruit intake, you open your body to absorbing the full range of healthy nutrients it needs. Bananas, in particular, have tons of potassium, and they can help lower your risk of high blood pressure and stroke! If you really want to try something different, papayas are delicious and contain papain, which has been shown to improve your digestion, as well as more folate.
Conclusion
You now know the best times to eat fruits, and why you shouldn’t eat them with a big meal! If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to perfecting your diet and living a more enjoyable, healthy life.
Happy eating!
