What kind of fruit should you eat during the winter season? Top 10 most useful fruits and how they affect the human body. Features of the use of fruits for children and during pregnancy.
In winter, the human body is usually weakened. For the immune system to function at full capacity, it must be strengthened. Taking vitamins helps to increase immunity, the body copes better with protecting against viruses and colds. Most often, during the cold season, doctors recommend eating as much fruit as possible. After all, natural vitamins are not only healthier than purchased ones, but also much tastier.
However, do not forget that fruits (as well as vegetables) are most useful in the season. Strawberries and plums, for example, will bring much more vitamins to our body in the summer. Of course, they can be found in stores in winter, but when growing summer fruits and berries in the cold season, they use a huge amount of dressings and fertilizers, which means that the benefits of such "vitamins" become minimal. But there are also such fruits, the usefulness of which increases precisely in the winter.
Pineapple
To enjoy the most ripe and delicious pineapples, you need to be able to choose them correctly. As a rule, these fruits are brought to our country unripe, and this affects their taste. When choosing a pineapple, you should pay attention to its color: the ripe and sweet fruit has an even yellow color, it should not have any dirty spots.
Benefit
Pineapples are rich in vitamins C and PP, contain many B vitamins, and also have many beneficial minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is known that pineapple fruit has a positive effect on intestinal peristalsis. But rumors that pineapple juice is able to break down fats have not yet been confirmed, so do not count on miraculous weight loss with the help of these exotic fruits.
Pineapples can be consumed during pregnancy, of course, if the woman does not have an allergic reaction to them. But you shouldn't abuse them either - once or twice a week will be enough.
Pineapples are not recommended for feeding children under three years old; they can irritate the stomach lining and severe allergies.
If we talk about the nutrition of children, then it is better to prefer canned pineapple to fresh pineapple - it is better absorbed. But it is better not to give pineapple syrup to a child - it contains a lot of sugar.
Oranges
Citrus fruits most loved by the Russian people come from Latin America and the Mediterranean. One of the most popular varieties of oranges is called "Navel", which means "navel" in English. The fruit of this variety has a thick but easily detachable rind, and at the top is a small round process, similar to a navel. In reality, this process is an underdeveloped second fetus. It is believed that the larger it is, the sweeter the orange.
Sicilian oranges are also popular. Their peel and flesh have an unusual color, mostly red and brown. For this feature, Sicilian oranges are popularly called "bloody".
Benefit
Oranges, like pineapples, are rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B. And oranges are simply record holders in terms of vitamin C.
Oranges (and orange juice) can be given to children, but do not forget about caution - these citrus fruits are quite allergenic, and the acids they contain can irritate the mucous membranes and lead to gastritis.
Oranges can also be consumed by women during pregnancy, but in small quantities and not daily. In small doses, oranges have a positive effect on intestinal motility and help to avoid constipation, which often accompanies pregnancy.
After eating oranges (and other citrus fruits), it is recommended to rinse your mouth thoroughly. This simple action will help keep your tooth enamel from breaking down.
Grenades
The bright red fruits of the pomegranate tree grow mainly in the Middle Eastern countries, as well as in Greece, Spain, Italy and in some Caucasian countries. Pomegranates are large berries with juicy seeds inside.
When buying pomegranates, you should pay attention to their peel. It should be a little dry. Depending on the variety, the color of a ripe pomegranate ranges from pale orange to burgundy.
Benefit
Pomegranate fruits contain vitamins PP, B and C, and are also rich in microelements: iron, iodine, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Pomegranates are excellent in raising hemoglobin, so their use during pregnancy will help to avoid problems associated with anemia.
Pomegranates have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, help fight gum disease and increase appetite.
Children under two or three years old are not recommended to give pomegranates to sample. It is best to start acquaintance with these fruits with juice diluted with water; a small spoon will be enough for the first time. If the next day the child does not have an allergy, then you can go directly to the grains.
Do not forget - pomegranates have a fixing effect, so it is not advisable to use them for people prone to constipation.
Grapefruit
Grapefruits are grown primarily in South African countries and Israel. The taste of grapefruit is bitter-sour, it differs markedly from the taste of other citrus fruits. The varieties with red peels are considered sweeter, yellow and green peels are less sweet.
Benefit
Grapefruits are rich in vitamins A, B, E and, of course, C. They also contain potassium and calcium.
Eating grapefruit is good for the digestive system. Grapefruit has a mild laxative effect and is often recommended for constipation during pregnancy.
Grapefruit strengthens blood vessels well, and therefore they are useful for people suffering from bleeding gums. They also noticeably improve your mood.
Grapefruit can be consumed by children from the age of three. But babies usually don't like the bitter taste of these citrus fruits, so they prefer oranges or tangerines.
Fig
Fig is a representative of one of the ancient cultures grown in the Mediterranean, Crimea and Krasnodar Territory. Fresh fig berries are stored for a very short time - about 7-10 hours, so they are usually consumed in a dried form.
Benefit
Figs in fresh and dried form are quite different from each other in the amount of useful microelements they contain. In fresh fruits, vitamins C and B5 predominate, in dried ones - vitamins PP, B1, B2 and E. Figs also contain folic acid, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and iron.
Fig berries are good for digestion. Consuming figs during pregnancy helps prevent anemia. However, if the expectant mother notices a sharp jump in weight, then the amount of dried figs consumed is recommended to be reduced or to give preference to less high-calorie fresh fruits.
Fig berries are good for children too. They have a good effect on children's digestion and gastric motility.
Kiwi
Kiwi fruits have brown hairy skin and bright green flesh. They have a very low calorie content, and therefore are quite popular in dietary nutrition. Different people describe the taste of kiwi differently: some people think that their taste resembles strawberry, others compare them to a mixture of gooseberry, banana and strawberry flavors.
Benefit
The most important vitamin found in kiwi is vitamin C. However, in addition to it, kiwi fruits are rich in B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.
Eating kiwi during pregnancy will help to avoid constipation and will have a beneficial effect on intestinal motility.
Kiwi fruits can provoke severe allergies, and therefore they are not recommended for children under the age of three. Older children can be given kiwi, but in small quantities and not more often than 1-2 times a week.
Tangerines
Tangerines in Russia are closely related to the New Year celebrations. Small orange citrus fruits come to us from Spain, Morocco, China, Turkey and Egypt. In winter, you can find tangerines from Azerbaijan and Abkhazia on store shelves - they may not be as sweet as their overseas comrades, but certainly very fragrant.
Mandarins are similar in appearance to clementines (hybrids of mandarin and orange), so people often confuse them. Outwardly, these citrus fruits differ only in shape: clementines are more rounded, while tangerines are usually slightly flattened. If we talk about differences in taste, then clementines, as a rule, are much sweeter than tangerines.
Benefit
Mandarins are primarily vitamins A, B, C, K and many useful trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.
Mandarins have a positive effect on digestion and appetite. But despite this, it is impossible to get fat from them, of course, if you do not bite them with high-calorie buns.
For pregnant women, tangerines are useful for constipation, but children should not eat them in large quantities, as allergies are possible.
Pitahaya
This vibrant exotic fruit is exported to Russia mainly from Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. In fact, pitahaya are the fruits of a cactus growing in the subtropics. In our country, the fruits of pitahaya with a pink-red peel are widespread, less often they are found with yellow ones and, as a rule, they have a more pronounced sweet taste. The pulp of the pitahaya is white with a high content of small edible black seeds.
Benefit
Pitahaya fruits are watery, their pulp contains almost no calories. Pitahaya contain vitamins C and B, and are also rich in phosphorus and potassium. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the stomach, intestines and cardiovascular system.
Due to the high risk of developing allergies, the consumption of pitahaya fruits during pregnancy should be reduced to a minimum. The same goes for children - pitahaya can cause hives and stomach problems in babies.
Pomelo
The largest member of the citrus family. Pomelo fruits have a pronounced sweet and sour taste and a thick, easily peeled rind. The pulp of pomelo, unlike other citrus fruits, does not have much juiciness.
When buying a pomelo, you should pay attention to the color of the fruit - it should be uniform. If the fruit is colored in several colors, then it is unripe.
Pomelo fruits can be stored for a long time. You can eat only the pulp, without the peel and membranes.
The Chinese believe that the pomelo is a symbol of stability, prosperity and prosperity. That is why there is a tradition in China - to give pomelo fruits to friends and family for the New Year.
Benefit
Pomelo contains large amounts of vitamin C, B vitamins, as well as beta-carotene, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. According to nutritionists, the pomelo fruit significantly speeds up the metabolism, which makes this fruit very popular for those who want to lose those extra pounds.
The use of pomelo during pregnancy promotes better development of the baby's skeletal system. For kids, pomelo is healthy too and can be a healthy alternative to cakes and cookies for afternoon tea.
Persimmon
Bright orange fruits appear in our stores in late October or early November. Persimmons are imported to our country from the Caucasus, as well as from Israel, Spain and China. Only fully ripe fruits are suitable for consumption, otherwise they will taste very viscous.
When buying persimmons, you should give preference to softer fruits with brown leaves. If the persimmon is tough, and its leaves are green, then it is clearly unripe.
Benefit
Persimmons are dominated by vitamins A, C and E, as well as useful trace elements: iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iodine.
When consuming persimmons, it is important to be careful not to forget about two important things. First, these fruits are very sweet, the calorie content of certain varieties of persimmon can exceed 100 kcal per 100 grams, while the average fruit weight is 250-300 grams.
And secondly, persimmon contains fibers with tannins (they protect fruits from diseases and it is because of them that persimmon has a memorable astringent taste). Our stomach cannot digest such fibers, therefore, with a large consumption of persimmon fruits (especially immature ones), a bezoar is formed inside it - a dense foreign body that is not digested and is hardly excreted from the body or is not excreted on its own at all, then it is removed from the body by surgical intervention.
To avoid problems, persimmons are not recommended to be consumed in large quantities (more than one or two fruits per day). This is especially true for people with impaired intestinal motility, constipation and bloating. Since these symptoms occur quite often during pregnancy, the use of persimmons should be treated with caution.
In moderation, persimmon can also be offered to a child. This should be done no more than once a day and no more than one small fruit at a time (or half a large one).
Persimmons can be frozen and then the amount of tannins in it will decrease, but not everyone will like the excessively soft consistency of the thawed fruit.
