Expert Reveals How Eating the Wrong Fruits Can Be Worse Than Eating None at All

An apple a day just doesn’t cut it anymore, and too many apples could make you fat.

That’s the advice of Iva Young, a nutritional expert who warns that the wrong kinds of fruits can actually do more harm than good.

“We really should be smart about the fruits we consume,” said Young, author of Healthy Mom (www.ivayoung.com ). “After all, remember that fruits are very similar to breads, pastas, rice, and other high carbohydrate-rich foods in that fruits are high in carbs. That is one reason why we should only consume a certain amount, and choose the fruits that are lower in sugar. If you pick the right fruits and eat the proper portions, then you will give your body what it needs and it will benefit greatly from your efforts.”

So, which fruits offer the biggest health boost? Young named the following fruits, all of which are comparatively low in sugar, as her top five:

• Raspberries - Raspberries are an excellent source of fiber, offering 30 percent of our  recommended daily value, 8 grams per serving. Raspberries are also a rich  source of vitamin C, with  about 50 percent of our daily value. In addition, they are a rich source of  manganese, delivering 60  percent of what we should have each day. Raspberries rank near the top of all  fruits for antioxidant strength and contain many anti-disease properties if consumed  regularly, helping to fight against inflammation, chronic pain, cancer,  cardiovascular disease, diabetes, allergies, age-related cognitive decline and  eyesight degeneration associated with aging.
• Blackberries - Blackberries are notable for their high  nutritional contents of dietary  fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, and manganese. Blackberries are  well-ranked for having strong  antioxidant levels, and they also contain copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty  acids.
• Kiwi - Kiwi is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K, which is a natural  blood thinner. It’s also a good source of potassium, just slightly less than  that of a banana. Potassium is one of those nutrients that’s absolutely  essential for heart health, yet many people don’t get nearly enough. Kiwi also  delivers a mild laxative effect, possibly because of the high level of dietary fiber.
• Strawberries - Strawberries are low in calories compared to many  other fruits, and are a good source of fiber. They are also an excellent  source of vitamin C and flavonoids, promoting lots of antioxidant activity in the  body.
• Oranges - Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin A and C, along with powerful  antioxidants. Oranges also provide a good source of fiber when the pulp is consumed. The  white pith of the orange also contains flavonoids, and some doctors are even  using extracts from the pith to help fight certain types of  cancer.

“Sugar is also something that you should keep your eye on, because it affects the health of your teeth and the functioning of your hormones, specifically leptin,” she added. “Leptin is the important hormone responsible for telling the body that you should stop eating. With excess amounts of sugar in your body, the amount of leptin is diminished, which causes you to overeat. Excess sugar also has been known to cause intestinal issues increasing the chances of bloating, which causes your stomach to stick out and look like you have extra fat. That’s how consuming too many sugar-rich fruits can actually make you look fat, and make you feel less healthy than if you didn’t eat any fruits at all.”

Iva Young was born in Munich, Germany, and her family moved to Toronto, Canada, when she was two years old. Her parents grew up in Croatia, so she grew up eating traditional high-fat Croatian and German meals. That upbringing helped spark her passion for nutrition and natural health.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and health promotion from California Polytechnic University.