If you're trying to stay on a healthy track this first full week of the new year, you'll probably be adding more fruit to your diet.
For most of us, our favorite fruit choices are apples, bananas, grapes, and maybe assorted berries — but they're out there Many other fruits Which you may not know and are worth considering.
Three registered dietitians share their tips on how to increase your fruit intake — and why you can try these healthy choices.
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These seven fruits contain an amazing amount of… Vitamins and minerals It is generally available in the winter in most parts of the country, with some variation depending on location.
From left to right, kumquat, starfruit and pomegranate. These and other unusual and interesting fruit options contain nutritional benefits and can be used in a wide variety of meals and dishes. (Istock)
1. Guava
Guava is a tropical fruit with a green or yellowish-green exterior, and its flesh can range from white to vibrant pink or Red, depending on variety. Digital news.
“The fruit is generally round or pear-shaped and has a sweet smell,” she said.
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“Guava can be eaten when it is ripe and soft, and its flavor varies from sweet to mildly sour.”
Guava boasts Food concessions Because they're rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A and E and potassium, which Heckler said is important for health and fluid balance.
Guava can be cut into slices and eaten fresh. It is also often juiced and used in drinks, juices or cocktails. (Istock)
Leave the guava at room temperature until it reaches the desired doneness.
“Once guava is ripe, store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life,” Heckler said.
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She said that guava can be cut into slices and eaten fresh. It is also often juiced and used Drinks, juices or cocktails.
Guava slices can be added to fruit salads, green salads, or yogurt for a distinctive flavor.
2. Kiwi
Also known as kiwifruit, kiwis are a small, brown, fuzzy fruit with vibrant green flesh, Heckler said.
“The interior contains small edible black seeds distributed throughout the flesh, and the taste is a unique combination of sweetness and flavour, making it a refreshing and delicious fruit.”
This small fruit has a lot of benefits because it is exceptionally high in vitamin C Immune system healthHeckler said.
Small kiwifruit are exceptionally high in vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system. (Istock)
“It also contains other nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin K and E and potassium,” Heckler told Fox News Digital. “Vitamin K supports blood clotting and bone health, and Vitamin E is an antioxidant.”
At home, kiwis can be ripened at room temperature.
“Once the kiwis are ripe, store them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life,” she added.
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“This helps slow the ripening process.”
Heckler also said the versatile fruit can be used in smoothies to enhance flavor and nutritional benefits.
Kiwis are available year-round in the United States due to imports from different regions, Heckler said.
3. Kumquat
Heckler noted that this small, oval-shaped citrus fruit differs from other citrus fruits in that the orange peel is sweet and edible, while the flesh inside is tart.
Among the nutritional benefits of exotic fruits is that they contain a high percentage of vitamin C. Fiber and essential oilsShe said.
At home, store kumquats at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a short time to maintain their freshness.
Fresh oranges are high in vitamin C, fiber and essential oils. (Istock)
This can be your choice of fruit Snack on the go.
“Consume the whole fruit, including the peel, for a sweet, refreshing flavor,” Heckler said.
Kumquats are also versatile for DIY cooking as you can use them to make marmalades or delicious sauces.
4. Persimmon
Persimmon is a sweet-tasting fruit with a unique texture and appearance. The delicious fruit is high in vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber, Heckler said.
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“Vitamins A and C contribute to Skin health “And strengthen the immune system,” she said.
Keep persimmons at room temperature until they are ripe, then store them in the refrigerator to extend their freshness. Exotic fruits can be a delicious addition to your cooking or entertaining routine.
To enhance the taste and nutritional benefits, persimmons can be added to foods such as yogurt. (Istock)
“Enjoy them raw or add them to salads and desserts,” Heckler suggested.
Another idea is to enhance the taste and nutritional benefits by adding persimmons to foods such as yogurt.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranates, often touted as a superfood, are a good source of vitamin C, fiber and folate, Jessica Cording told Fox News Digital. Cording is a registered dietitian, health coach, and author who practices in New York and New Jersey.
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The fruits are “also rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” Cording said.
Pomegranates contain kernels — tiny seed casings that fill the inside of the fruit, which she said can be added to salads. Mixed with yogurt, oatmeal, or cold cereal; Or used as a garnish for drinks.
Pomegranates are good sources of vitamin C, fiber and folate. “It's also rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” a nutritionist told Fox News Digital. (Istock)
“You can also eat the fruit with a spoonful of fruit directly,” Cording said.
Store pomegranates in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
While pomegranates are typically harvested in the fall, they can be found in stores throughout the winter, Heckler said.
6. Pomelo
Also known as the Chinese grapefruit, this unusual fruit may be a new fruit to look for in your grocery store.
This citrus variety is high in vitamin C, Julie Lopez, a registered dietitian and owner of Virtual Teachering Kitchen, based in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
When picking a pomelo, take the time to examine it carefully, she said.
A nutritionist said that pomelo, also known as Chinese grapefruit, contains a high percentage of vitamin C. “It should be heavy for its size without any soft spots or bruises.” (Istock)
“The pomelo should be heavy for its size without any soft spots or bruises,” Lopez said.
“Smell the peel; when ripe, the fruit should have a pleasant, sweet aroma.”
Refrigerate ripe pomelo for up to a week, she said.
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The fruit can be used in the same way as grapefruit, as it can be squeezed for a refreshing drink and also added to salads and desserts.
7. Star fruit
Sweet amaranth, also known as carambola, is a tropical fruit with a unique shape – aptly named because it has five points like a star.
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It has a somewhat sweet and tangy flavor, Heckler said.
Starfruit—a uniquely shaped tropical fruit—has a sweet, somewhat tangy flavor, and is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. (Istock)
It is a good source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants.
When shopping for this fruit, choose one with firm flesh.
To enjoy them, slice them and eat them fresh or use them as a garnish in dishes.
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“Use star fruit slices as a decorative and delicious garnish for both Sweet and salty dishes“Heckler said.
She suggested keeping star fruit at room temperature until ripe, then storing it in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
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She pointed out that star fruit may be available throughout the year in some southern states, but it may not be common in cold areas.
