The fruit salad is generally balanced, rich in vitamins and fiber, “But some small errors can make it less healthy and more caloric“, Prevents Alexandra Murcier, dietician-nutritionist. So here are 4 habits to put aside to make the most of her benefits.
The addition of whipped cream
Is it really necessary to specify it? Yes, the whipped cream is delicious, but it considerably increases the caloric intake of your salad.
“Incorporating whipped cream into a fruit salad immediately brings a surplus of calories and sugars. Indeed, it is often rich in fat and added sugars, which can quickly unbalance this dessert, however lightly light”, warns Alexandra Murcier.
To make your fruit salad healthier, limit or even avoid the addition of whipped cream is therefore recommended. You can also favor a light cream (15% fat instead of 30%) if you still want to bring a little delicacy. Or even better: prepare a mixture half whipped, half cheese blanc.
Adding sugar
Adding sugar, honey or coconut sugar to a fruit salad is not necessary.
“Indeed, fresh fruit is naturally sweet. And when they are seasonal, you don’t need to add sugar”, says the dietician. On the other hand, to enhance the taste of fruit salad without weighing it down, “We can flavor the whole with a little orange blossom, which goes well with many fruits, and which is not sweet”, specifies the expert.
Purchase of canned fruit (and not fresh)
Pineapple, cherries, peaches … canned, candied and syrupy fruits at will, make young and old gourmets happy.
“Except that they are richer in sugar because of the conservation syrup present in the canned. A reflex to be avoided therefore, especially since these canned fruits have lost a good part of their vitamins”, admits the specialist. “Likewise, dried fruits, such as raisins, although rich in potassium, are much more concentrated in sugars than fresh fruit”, she continues.
Excess fruit
Finally, if the fruits remain excellent “health” foods, do not abuse them.
“They must be consumed in correct quantities. A portion of around 150 grams, two to three times a day, is enough to take advantage of their benefits”, recalls the expert. Consuming too much fructose can indeed be problematic for certain people, especially those monitoring their weight or blood sugar.
Finally, “It is important to cut the fruit at the last moment, because vitamin C is fragile and quickly degrades in contact with air “, Recalls in conclusion Alexandra Murcier.