You can safely consume dried fruits, even if you are on a diet or on a fasting day: they contain useful carbohydrates - glucose and fructose, which have much less influence on the increase of blood sugar than sucrose, and, therefore, interfere with weight gain. In addition, dried fruits do not contain fat, in contrast to sweets, and the calorie content varies only from 200 to 300 kcal per 100 g.
If you have an appetite, wait to reach for a bag of chips or candy - better eat two or three pieces of dried apricots or prunes: they are tasty and sweet, and are able to give energy. As a means of combating dependence on sweet nutritionists recommend to carry dried fruits with them and snack on them if you suddenly want chocolate or sweets.
In addition, dried fruits contain many pectins (natural polysaccharides), which contribute to improving digestion. Pectins stabilize the metabolism and have the ability to absorb harmful substances (for example, radioactive elements, toxic metal ions and pesticides) and remove them from the body, thereby improving the microflora and peristalsis of the intestine. Pectins also contain excess cholesterol, which contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (eg, atherosclerosis). Nutritionists recommend daily to include in their diet at least 25-35 grams of fiber, and for a year they advise eating at least two kilograms of dried fruits.
Prunes
Prunes favorably affects the peristalsis of the intestine due to the increased content of dietary fiber and organic acids. If you have problems with a stool, before taking laxatives, try a natural remedy. Take 100 g of figs and 100 g of prunes, pour boiling water, after 10 minutes. Drain the water, add 100 g of honey, an aloe leaf and chop everything in a blender. You will have a mass similar to fruit jam. It can be transferred to a glass jar and stored in a refrigerator. Instead of laxative, this jam can be consumed by 1 tablespoon diluted in half a cup of warm boiled water, 3 times a day, and as a prophylaxis - 1 time per day, before bedtime.
Raisins
Raisins contain a large amount of magnesium, manganese and boron, which hinder the development of osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones are thinned, become porous and brittle. According to doctors, in Russia every third woman suffers from this disease. As a preventive measure, experts advise daily use 50-60 grams of raisins.
Dried apricots
Dried apricots are valuable high in iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, carotene, and especially potassium. Dried apricots are known as a means of preventing hypertension, it is recommended for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidneys (for example, pyelonephritis), which are accompanied by fluid retention in the body, edema and increased excretion of potassium from the body.
Orange color of dried apricots is attached to carotene (provitamin A) - a yellow-orange plant pigment. Carotene accumulates in the liver, where it is converted to the active form of vitamin A (retinol), which is a natural antioxidant, improves skin, eyesight, slows the aging process, prevents avitaminosis. However, when buying, be careful to take dried apricots bright orange: often to preserve the presentation of the berry, it is processed with chemicals and greased with vegetable oil. Choose dried apricots yellowish color with a grayish shade. Do not take too soft a berry, give preference to harsh fruits.
Figs
Fig is also known as fig or wine berry. Fig fruits have a high nutritional value, they are rich in useful mineral salts (especially potassium), organic acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. In folk medicine, the useful properties of figs for colds are widely used. Fruits of figs have anti-inflammatory, expectorant and softening effect. Decoction of figs on water or milk is used for dry cough, bronchitis, hoarseness of voice, sore throat. To cook the broth, chop 2-3 figs, pour a glass of water, and preferably milk and cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat. You can add a teaspoon of butter. The broth should be eaten warm before bedtime.
Dates
According to their nutritional properties dates are close to cereals, because contain up to 70% carbohydrates, which give strength, help to recover under high loads, increase efficiency, improve concentration, favorably affect the work of the brain. The fruits of date palms contain a lot of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, as well as potassium, which helps improve memory and mental activity. If you are going to take exams or another dressed up intellectual work, experts recommend eating five or six dates a day. 10 dates a day is enough to provide a daily requirement of the body in the gland, which helps enrich the blood with oxygen and activates cellular respiration. Dates are especially useful for pregnant women and preparing to become a mother.
Every day, you can "feed" your body with dried fruits in various ways. Dried fruits are not only delicious in themselves, they can be used to make delicious compotes, add to cereals, muesli, flakes and cottage cheese, use for preparation of various salads, casseroles, sauces, make toppings for pies, rolls and other bakes. At the same time, the dishes with dried fruits are no less satisfying than, for example, from cereals or pasta, but it is much more useful. Dried fruits, of course, are quite high in calories, but they are not the empty calories that are contained in chocolate and candies, so when choosing between confectionery and dried fruits, choose the latter.