A New Generation of Fruit

My mom always says to me, “Don’t forget to eat your fruit!” and I immediately think of all the apples and oranges and bananas I have been neglecting in my daily diet. One day, however, I was in Fresh Grocer browsing when I picked up a pomegranate and wondered to myself, Why don’t I ever eat pomegranates? Possibly because I don’t know, as many people don’t, that pomegranates provide much more nutrition than a simple apple can. They’re loaded with vitamin B5, potassium, vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols (which can fight cancer). It has also been shown to fight plaque and even lower blood pressure. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a pomegranate a day can add years to your life.

Or, if seeds aren’t your thing, next time consider a bag of lychees instead of grapes. These sweet, shell-covered fruits are a product of East and Southeast Asian countries and have begun to make it into mainstream America. They're loaded with Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and the always-essential fiber. They are usually sold in bunches or de-shelled in cans.

Looking for an alternative to strawberry milkshakes? Try açaí shakes. The native South American fruit has become widely popular in energy drinks (Vitamin Water, Naked Juices, etc.) and have proved nutritional in a variety of ways. It has a fair amount of antioxidants, protein, Vitamins A and C, and a large amount of iron. Sold mostly in pulp and juice form, açaí drinks are easily accessible now in a variety of supermarkets.

So are you ready to mix up your fruit diet? There’s a whole new generation of exotic fruits out there just waiting to become the next big thing. So stop by Trader Joe’s (2121 Market Street), swing by Whole Foods (2001 Pennsylvania Avenue in Fairmount) or even try Fresh Grocer (4001 Walnut Street) to start exploring today.

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