fruits and carbs

Question
QUESTION: Many fruits contain carbohydrates.  I was looking at the food pyramid and I began to wonder if fruits that contain carbs are counted as a fruit and a carb or just as a fruit?

ANSWER: Hi Sandy,

In general carbohydrates on the pyramid are noted as grains or grain products. Fruit is counted as fruit, not as carbs. Some people do count fruit as carbs depending on their health goals or health situation (diabetes...).

Fruit contains carbohydrates, some are higher than others (bananas are high, apples are medium, avocados are low), try nutritiondata.com for more info. On the other hand, most vegetables contain much less carbohydrate and this is one reason that I usually recommend eating a greater portion of veggies than fruit. 5 a day is a bare minimum, the USDA now recommends eating 9-13 servings a day for the best health generating results. A serving is only a cup and of those cups only a few should be fruits, the majority vegetables. For example, if you eat 5 a day, 1 or 2 could be fruit and the 3 or 4 would be veggies. If you ate 10 servings, 6 or 7 should be veggies, the rest fruit...

Thank you for your question. I hope this helps.

Have a great day,
Dan Haley, CNC.

www.marketamerica.com/alkalinenutrition

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for that concise response.  I do have another one for you.  Avocados... I'm confused.  Are they good for you or not?  High in calories but good for other things... Please explain

Thank you

Answer
Hi Sandy,

Avocados are very good for you. They are rich in antioxidants, a good source of healthy fats (monounsaturated- like canola oil) and protein, low in carbs. Avocados are also highly alkalizing. Avocados can almost be a meal in themselves. Try a sliced avocado over a salad, in a pita pocket; or you can cut one in half and remove the pit and salt to taste- scoop out with a spoon. We have used them over taco soup as well. They are really good, and very nutritious! I like to eat them a few times each week.

Thanks again,
Dan

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