Sponsored: How important is fruit?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: How important is fruit?

Question: I’m trying to lose weight, should I cut out eating fruit?

Answer: Fruit is a great source of macro and micronutrients like carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber so it would be unfortunate to cut it out. It is doubtful that fruit is the culprit in weight gain or an inability to lose weight. Here are some things you can do to check your eating and lifestyle habits to see what you might need to tweak.

• Consider your overall health and not just a number on the scale. How is your blood sugar? Your cholesterol? Your blood pressure? Are you able to walk up and down stairs easily? How is your energy level? Are you getting enough sleep?

• Keep a food diary of the food and beverages you eat and drink for a week. Sometimes it’s easier to spot issues when you write things down.

• Take a look at what you are eating now. How does it line up with recommendations for your age, gender and activity level? My Plate MyPlate | U.S. Department of Agriculture is a good place to start.

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• Pay attention to beverages. It’s easy to get additional calories with fruit drinks, sweetened beverages like coffee drinks, sodas, sweet tea and even kombucha. Can you drink more water or unsweetened beverages?

• Are you eating when you aren’t hungry or snacking throughout the day?

Bottom Line: Sometimes making small changes in our habits that we can stick with is a better way to approach improving our health than eliminating food groups, feeling deprived or focusing too much on a number on the scale.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

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800-334-4936

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