Healthy snacks - What are the best dried fruits?

What are dried fruits?

Dried fruits are fruits that have been dried in the sun or dehydrated in order to remove water content. It is an excellent way of preserving fresh fruits for longer. Dried fruits are naturally sweet and have a long shelf life.

Dried fruits nutrition

Dried fruits offer a lot of health benefits. They are packed in natural sugars, which makes them energy-dense and high in carbohydrates. They are also high in fibre, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Because of their high sugar content, they should be consumed in moderation. 

What are the best dried fruits?

Cranberries 

Dried cranberries are even more popular than fresh ones. That's because raw cranberries have a very sour taste.

Dried cranberries contain naturally concentrated sugars and good amounts of dietary fibre. Usually, they may contain added sugar and some sunflower oil, so they don't stick together. 

Dried cranberries contain lower amounts of vitamins than fresh ones, but they are rich in antioxidants like phenolic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanin. They can be eaten on their own or added to salads, bread, cakes, muffins, cookies, oatmeal and cereals.  

Apricots 

Dried apricots are a great snack which can be eaten alone. They are sweet, with a moist inside and chewy texture. Apricots are rich in fibre, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and copper. They are rich in carotenoids, which become Vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A supports the eyes' health and cell growth. Eating a few apricots a day may help you boost immunity. Organic dried apricots are dark brown and have a coarse texture. When dried apricots' colour is bright orange, they were treated with sulfur dioxide.

Dates 

Dried dates have a unique flavour similar to caramel. They have very little water content and contain natural sugars. They are also high in fibre and minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, selenium, copper and iron. Dates can be eaten alone as a healthy snack, used as a sweetener or incorporated in healthy cakes and desserts. 

Figs 

Dried figs are harvested semi-dry from the trees. Figs contain natural sugars and are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin K, manganese, calcium, potassium, and iron. They are high in dietary fibre and may help prevent constipation.