COMMUNITY
Blueberries: The Sweet Victory Over Artificial Snacks
Posted On: October 29, 2018It’s mid afternoon and your energy levels have drastically dipped after that lunch that you scarfed down in what seemed a matter of minutes. And then it happens: That craving for something sweet hits, and you interpret it as a call for a sugary treat. But is that really what your body wants or (more importantly) needs? Holiday season has begun which means we need to be informed in order to make the best and healthiest decisions. And while we can’t deny the brief satisfaction that a processed snack or sugary candy provides, we’re looking for long term solutions (or at least something to hold us over and keep us energized until dinner).
Here are a few reasons why you should opt for snacks with naturally occurring sugars, like fresh blueberries, rather than a treat with refined sugar:
1. Energy without the crash
Whole fruit in its fresh state is full of fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar and regulates the insulin which positively affects our blood sugar level. In other words, you won’t experience the brief spike and sudden drop of energy after eating a handful of blueberries that you will after eating a chocolate candy bar. The fiber content in fruit can also make us feel fuller faster, meaning we won’t keep reaching for snack after snack. One cup of blueberries contains up to 4 grams of fiber.
2. Low in calories, high in antioxidants
Did you know that one cup of blueberries has about 85 calories and 24% of our daily recommended intake of Vitamin C? Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for store-bought blueberry and other fruit ‘flavored’ candies, that often contain artificial additives and refined sugar. And while fresh fruit is always a smart choice, blueberries are especially high in flavonoids, a plant compound with powerful antioxidants. The antioxidant levels help protect our bodies from disease and age-related effects, making this little fruit a superfood.
3. Avoid tooth decay
We’re probably not the first ones to tell you that eating too much candy will cause your teeth to rot (thanks Mom and Dad), and there’s a reason for that. Acid-producing bacteria love to feast on the sugars that remain on your teeth long after you think you’ve eaten that whole bag of gummies. So it’s not actually sugar that causes tooth decay, but in fact the bacteria attracted to its sticky leftovers. By brushing your teeth regularly and snacking on foods high in water content and low in acidic levels (such as berries) we can ensure the longevity of our teeth!
