Summer fruits are so tasty that you don’t really need any good reasons to eat them. But here are a few, just in case you’re still not convinced!
Five A Day
We need to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day to keep healthy.
Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fibre, folic acid and phytochemicals, which all benefit our bodies in different ways.
Be sure you reach your target of five a day by adding some summer fruits into your diet.
Pick a Portion ...
Here’s how to work out one portion of the different summer fruits:
Two plums.
Eight strawberries.
Half a cup of currants.
One cup of cherries, blackberries, gooseberries or raspberries.
C is for Caring
Did you know that strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges?
Our bodies need vitamin C to protect us from cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C also stops us from getting ill as often and makes our body tissues stronger.
The chemical name for vitamin C is absorbic acid.
Blackcurrants are an excellent source of vitamin C. Gooseberries and raspberries are also good sources of vitamin C.
High in Fibre
Dietary fibre is the part of plants we cannot digest. It is needed for your stomach and intestines to work well.
Sometimes you may have a problem going to the toilet, which results in a tummy ache. This is called constipation. Fibre helps your intestines to move the waste food and you will feel better almost immediately.
Fibre also plays an important role in preventing and treating certain diseases. Blackberries and raspberries are good sources of fibre.
The Fruit of Knowledge ...
Have you ever wondered why monkeys have a lot of energy? It might be because they eat a lot of fruit!
Fruit is naturally sweet because it contains natural sugars. Natural sugars can help you when you need to concentrate because they stimulate the brain. They also boost your energy, so be a monkey and tuck into your fruit bowl for a delicious snack. It might even help with your homework!
Fighting Fit!
Phytochemicals (say “fight-o-chemicals”) are found in fruit. They work with nutrients and fibre to protect your body against disease.
‘Phyto’ is Greek and means ‘plant’ because phytochemicals are usually related to plant pigments.
A pigment is a colouring, so brightly coloured fruits generally contain the most phytochemicals and the most nutrients.
Make sure you choose different coloured fruits every day to get your ‘colours’!
Fat Busting ...
Snacks like crisps and chocolate are high in calories.
Calories are units that measure the amount of energy your body is able to get from food. Too many calories and your body cannot burn them up and they are stored as fat.
Fruit is low in calories so, instead of taking a chocolate bar to school, why not take some strawberries or plums in your lunch box?
How A-'peel'-ing!
Now you know how a-‘peel’-ing summer fruits are, ask your parents to buy some the next time they visit the greengrocers.
Then, you could ...
Try adding a small piece of fruit to each compartment of an ice-cube tray and top with pure apple juice. Freeze and then serve the cubes in glasses of sparkling mineral water for a refreshing drink.
Or why not make your breakfast cereal more interesting by adding some chopped fresh fruit to your bowl?
Or you could check out the easy recipes we have prepared in Bizzikid's cookery section so you can enjoy Summer Fruits even more!
Another Healthy and Fun Idea ...
Why not ask your parent or guardian if you can visit a ‘pick your own’ farm? At these farms you are allowed to pick your own fruit before you pay for it. You’ll have heaps of fun, especially if the weather is nice!
