Halloween is going to be different this year. So why not actually do something different too? Candy is nothing new, but have you tried these types of nature’s candy? I don’t know about you, but I love trying different fruits! There’s so many out there besides the boring typical banana and apples. This year try some different fruits instead. You can even make a day out of it and take the kids with you to pick out new unique fruits at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Of course, fruits still have a lot of sugar, natural or not, but at least you’ll actually be getting nutrients rather than just sugar, artificial flavours and food colouring. Because let’s be honest, you’ll get far more health benefits from consuming fruit than eating candy. Here’s some to try (along with just some of the many benefits)*: TamarindsThese are my favourite! I grew up with these in my Caribbean household. They originate from Africa but is also grown in India and other tropical countries around the world. I have to say it, but to me they look like poop! But they taste anything but. They are so sweet and a little tangy and have hard seeds inside it’s flesh that you can easily eat around and spit out. Health benefits:
CherimoyaAlso known as a custard apple. The flesh is soft and sweet "certain parts of cherimoya contain toxins that may damage your nervous system if consumed in high amounts" ( ,). Do NOT eat the skin peel. Health benefits:
Photo by Nikolai Chernichenko on Unsplash Dragon FruitIsn't this so pretty? It's easy to cut and eat and has the texture of a watermelon and cucumber and is light tasting and not as sweet as you'd expect. It has been studied on the glycemic control of pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes but more research is needed. Health benefits:
Canary MelonThis to me is like a slightly watered down honeydew melon. Still delicious and had what seemed like more water content. I could definitely see myself adding this to a smoothie with some greens. Health benefits:
Green Large GuavaThis is not the guava I’m used to. The ones I’ve had before tend to be small so I was eager to give this a try since there’s so many different ones out there. To me this tastes like a sweet and crisp apple with an undertone of guava. An unlike an apple, you can eat the whole thing. Skin, rind and all. Health benefits:
TamarilloWhen I dug into the fruit with the spoon I reached the rind which was quite bitter, but overall the taste of this fruit was interesting! I couldn't put my finger on it because the fact that it tasted like a sweet tomato of some sort. Which explains why it's called a tree tomato. Health Benefits:
Prickly PearNative to Latin America it looks like how it sounds but luckily not as prickly. Go ahead and eat the skin if you'd like. I found the overall taste to be mushy and sweet with a crunch because of the seeds. Benefits:
There's also passion fruit, durian (the stinky fruit!) and so much more. The beautiful thing is that you'll sugar craving will be satisfied, you'll feel so much more full after consuming some of these fruits as a lot of them have a high water content and lots of fiber. Have you tried any of these fruits? Which was your favourite? *Do your own research and before trying anything new, check to see if there's any interactions with current medications you’re taking and the negative side effects of the food you plan to consume. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor. References:Amaliya, Amaliya et al. “Effect of guava and vitamin C supplementation on experimental gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial.” Journal of clinical periodontology vol. 45,8 (2018): 959-967. doi:10.1111/jcpe.12922
Daswani, Poonam G et al. “Psidium guajava: A Single Plant for Multiple Health Problems of Rural Indian Population.” Pharmacognosy reviews vol. 11,22 (2017): 167-174. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_17_17 Jennings, K., 2020. What Is Tamarind? A Tropical Fruit With Health Benefits. [online] Healthline. Available at: Poolsup, Nalinee et al. “Effect of dragon fruit on glycemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” PloS one vol. 12,9 e0184577. 8 Sep. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184577
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Simone is a certified in-home & virtual personal trainer, precision nutrition coach and ACE functional training specialist. Her mission is to help people on their fitness & health journey.
She also loves hair and skincare. When she's not figure skating, reading or writing, Simone loves to relax and watch Netflix with her little family. All information provided by Simone (Guishard) Maglassis and simonesfitfunlife.com is of a general nature and is furnished only for educational/entertainment purposes only. No information is to be taken as legal, medical or other health advice pertaining to any individual specific health or medical condition. You agree that use of this information is at your own risk and hold Simone Maglassis and/or simonesfitfunlife.com harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, injuries or damages resulting from any and all claims.
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