Incorporate More Fruit Into Your Diet this Year

Dena Smith Givens writes on behalf of NaturallySavvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.

Did you resolve to lose weight this year but have not yet lost a pound? Is your treadmill already collecting this week's dirty laundry? Unfortunately, you are not alone. Many of our well-intended resolutions are swept up with the confetti, or end up under the bed with the unopened ab machine. If you are interested in losing weight, increasing your energy, clearing up your skin, or wanting to generally feel great, then introducing more raw fruit into your diet can help.

Instinctively, we all know that fruit is good for us. However, this "forbidden" food has been vilified since biblical times and the recent low-carb craze has certainly not helped any. I find it ironic that we use the term "fruit" to describe a reward or benefit. That is exactly what you get when you eat fruit. Arguably the foundation of the primal human diet, fruit lures us by its sensual nature. Surprisingly, local, seasonal fruit is also usually less expensive per pound than most animal-based foods. If we truly "are what we eat," then I think I would rather be compared to a fresh peach than a grilled cheese sandwich!

Are you one of the many people who believe that fruit does not agree with them? Try eating fruit alone, either on an empty stomach or at least 10-15 minutes before a meal. Improper food combining is often the cause of digestive upset, rather than the fruit itself. Additionally, melons should always be eaten alone as they are absorbed by the body very quickly and can interfere with proper digestion if combined with other foods. Try replacing one meal a day for a week with 2-3 pounds of your favorite fruit and you should notice an increase in hydration and energy, and a decrease in weight.

Whole food smoothies make great meal replacements and are an easy way to get your RDA of fruit. Avoid the temptation to add dairy products to your smoothies as the fruit juice can cause the dairy to curdle, particularly in your stomach. Enjoy your fruit first and then your dairy later. Consuming fresh, raw fiber-rich fruit in the morning aids in your body's natural circadian cycle by cleansing the colon and facilitating healthy elimination. Many people find that a glass of unpasteurized, freshly prepared fruit juice can provide as much of an energy boost as coffee, but without the dreaded caffeine crash.

Ideally, we would all live in an Eden-like environment where we could just walk out and pick our own breakfast every morning. Obviously, this is reality for only a lucky few. Most of us depend on local grocers to provide us with our food. However, there are other options for obtaining your fruit. Local farmer's markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, and food cooperatives are not only an economical way to get fresh, local produce, they are also possible resources for organic or transitional fruit. Another enjoyable option is a visit to a pick-your-own farm.

Since we know that just an apple a day can keep the doctor away, imagine what 2-3 pounds of your favorite fruit could do?! So if you have resolved to have a healthier New Year, consider incorporating more fruit into your diet.