EatingWell
Weve long been presented with a list of good and bad foods.
Good foods get the green light, while bad should be avoidedand often come riddled with guilt.
Unfortunately, this all-or-nothing way of approaching nutrition isnt usually helpful in the long term.
Photo:EatingWell
Besides, one food isnt usually good or bad all of the time.
Thats thanks in part to some social media influencers who warn people that fruit is full of sugar.
In reality, fruit is a nutrient-dense food group that most Americans could stand to eat more of.
How Can Fruit Help Metabolic Syndrome?
Having at least three of these may indicate you have metabolic syndrome.
The good news is that fruit contains key nutrients for preventing or managing metabolic syndrome.
For one, its a major source of fiber in our diets.
The beautiful colors of fruit clue you into one of their big perks: Theyre packed with antioxidants.
Fruit contains antioxidants like vitamins C and A and flavonoids, which are key nutrients for metabolic health.
Plus, there are important minerals in fruit that can support cardiovascular health.
Excited about fruit yet?
While fruit may be dubbed natures candy, its not actually candy.
So its unfortunate that some of the sweetest-tasting fruits out there may have been wrongly called bad.
Therefore, our bodies treat them very differently fromsugary soda.
Mangos
Another higher-sugar fruit is mangos (are you sensing a trend here, yet?
), but theyre full of nutrition.
A recent research review found that consuming mangos may help reduce blood glucose levels and improve bad LDL cholesterol.
We love thisMango Smoothie Bowlfor breakfast or a snack.
Top it with nuts and chia seeds for added protein.
Its full of fiber and antioxidants like anthocyanidins and flavonols that can help mitigate risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
Watermelon
Dont overlook watermelonone of the most refreshing summer fruitswhen it comes to metabolic syndrome.
The antioxidants and fiber in all kinds of fruits are especially beneficial for preventing or managing metabolic syndrome.
So have fun incorporating watermelon, mango, apples, bananas, grapes and more into your diet.
Aim for a total of 1.5 to 2 cups of these and other fruits each day.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Only 1 in 10 Adults Get Enough Fruits or Vegetables.
National Institutes of Health.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What Is Metabolic Syndrome?
2023;13(3):753. doi:10.3390/life13030753
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FoodData Central.Watermelon, raw.
