It could actually be a struggle to work out how much fruit to eat each day. Yes, fruit has essential nutrients and fiber, but fruit also incorporates enough sugar that we shouldn’t just graze on it. One other challenge is that different fruits have different carb counts. So, we’ve got to be smart in regards to the fruit we eat — each in our decisions and serving portions. 

It’s best to decide on fruit with low carbohydrate counts. But given seasonality and regional access, you might not all the time have access to those fruits. Plus, even fruits with more carbs still have loads of nutrients and contribute to a various weight loss program. So, manage your consumption of fruits with higher carb loads by eating modest amounts. In the event you don’t have already got a digital scale, it’s a useful investment to assist with portion control. 

In the event you’re pondering that consuming fruit is largely a matter of grabbing an apple from the fridge or squeezing lemon juice over fish, you might be surprised in any respect the ways fruit may be enjoyed — and in portions that may keep your blood sugar in line. 

For these purposes, fruits which can be botanically fruit but that we are inclined to use as vegetables — like tomatoes and avocados — aren’t included here. Neither is dried fruit, which is high in sugar. Your best bet is to eat each fresh and frozen fruit (frozen fruit is an excellent option to prevent waste and luxuriate in out-of-season treats). 

Listed below are 10 creative ways you may enjoy fruit day-after-day:

Snacks

This is apparent, in fact, but you may kick it up a notch. 

• Nibble on berries or slices of apples or melon alone. 
• Mix pieces of fruit with unsweetened coconut chips, toasted nuts, or reduced-fat cheese. 
• Use sliced apples or pears as “crudité” to dip in a healthy nonfat yogurt sauce.
• Create little tapas bites on a skewer, using a cube of watermelon or Tuscan melon, a few basil or mint leaves, a slice of Persian cucumber, and a cube of low-fat mozzarella. Sprinkle with Tajin (a chili/lime seasoning) for a burst of vibrant spicy flavor.

Toppings

Use smaller amounts of fruit as toppings — for cereal, salads, and grain bowls. 

• Try a bowl of oatmeal with a handful of fresh blueberries and toasted walnuts.
• Making a meal of farro, grilled chunks of chicken, and sliced vegetables in a bowl? Add orange sections or sliced strawberries for a punch of sweetness. Here’s some bowl inspiration. Just add fruit!

Smoothies

Add frozen fruit (bananas, strawberries, pineapple, mixed berries, kiwi, or peaches) to a smoothie made with nonfat yogurt and a handful of spinach. Kick up the flavour with cinnamon, fennel powder, nutmeg, or other spices. 

Vinaigrettes

Definitely, it’s common to make vinaigrettes with citrus juices, but how about making vinaigrette with other fruits? 

• In a blender add some chopped watermelon or raspberries to the remaining of a conventional vinaigrette’s ingredients and purée. Here’s one tackle it. It’ll be a sweet and surprising addition to a summer chicken salad or grain bowl (see above). 
• Peel and mash a cup of fresh figs. Add to a blender with one diced shallot, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon each salt and ground pepper, and a couple of/3 cup extra virgin olive oil. Mix until smooth. It’s perfect for a fall salad, but in addition over vegetables and baked or roasted chicken.

Roasted

In the event you make one-pan dinners, like roasted chicken breasts with vegetables, add sweetness and texture by roasting seasonal fruit in the identical pan. 

• In cool months, peel and section oranges, tangerines, persimmons, apples, fresh figs, or pear slices. 
• In warm months, go for peaches, plums, or other stone fruit slices. 
• Alternately, deal with the fruit by roasting apples or pears within the winter and apricots, watermelon, peaches, or other stone fruit (or, very fastidiously, strawberries) in the summertime. Feature them on a bed of arugula or other greens with toasted nuts, feta cheese, and chopped fresh herbs.

Popsicles

Make your individual popsicles using a set of popsicle molds (easy to seek out online). Purée nonfat yogurt along with your favorite fruit. Add a sweetener should you want, plus herbs or spices for a twist. Pour into individual molds and freeze until set. Need inspiration?

• Yogurt, blackberries, and a touch of lavender. 
• Yogurt, peaches, and fennel powder. 
• Turn up the flavour with heat using a pinch of cayenne powder or make it cozy with cinnamon and nutmeg or vanilla. 

Grill

Grilling fruit caramelizes their natural sugars and adds smokiness. Just be certain that your fruit is fully ripe so that you get a young bite. No grill? No problem — use your oven’s broiler.

• Add fruit to vegetable, chicken, or fish kabab skewers and grill. 
• Grill slices of watermelon, peaches, or papaya (or make fruit kabobs) to function a side dish with a drizzle of spice- or herb-infused yogurt or a drizzle of fruit vinaigrette (see above). 
• Dice the grilled fruit and toss with vegetables like summer squash, asparagus, or sugar snap peas. 
• Enjoy grilled fruit as a topping for frozen nonfat sugar-free yogurt. 
• Slice lemons or oranges in half, spray with a bit of olive oil, and grill them to squeeze over chicken, fish, or veggies. 

Fruit Sundaes

Splurge on a low-sugar “sundae” with a bowl of berries, Greek nonfat yogurt, and a swirl of sugar-free chocolate syrup.

Salsa

Create a fruit salsa to enjoy as a condiment on a fish taco or taco bowl with whole grains. Or use it so as to add sweetness and spice to baked or roasted fish, chicken, or vegetables. The salsa may be all fruit, or just add chopped watermelon, strawberries, kiwis, or other ripe fruit to a conventional salsa made with jalapeños, minced cilantro, diced yellow or red onion, tomatoes or tomatillos, lime juice, and a bit of salt. 

Fruity Ice Cubes

Take the warmth off in the summertime by plopping cubes of pureed, frozen fruit into chilled sparkling water. Just select your fruit, whether watermelon, berries, mango, or a mixture, add a little bit of water, and place within the blender to purée. Or simply cut up pieces to let the fruit shine. Jazz it up with mint or other herbs should you like. Place into ice cube trays and freeze. Once they’re frozen you may unmold the cubes and store in a freezer bag.