Favorite Fruits?

I've been focusing on eating at least two pieces of fruit per day. So far, naval oranges, apples and bananas. I'm ready to add some others.

I haven't eaten a lot of oranges before because they seem like trouble to peel. After eating an 8lb bag I can now peel one in about 30 seconds or less.

I seem to feel better and less digestive problems since eating more fruits and also vegetables and eating a lot less meat, breads, sugars, etc.

What fruits do you love and what are their health benefits?

Bosc Pears, Fuji Apples, Passion Fruits

Bing Cherries
Fresh Peaches

[Robin Garr]

Fresh peaches are the best, but only when you're getting regional peaches in season. I like blueberries, raspberries, pears (if they're ripe) and, again in season, fresh figs.

I'll often make a healthy breakfast of a bunch of fruit in bite-size pieces in a bowl with Dannon no-fat (not no-fat) vanilla yogurt. Makes a very tasty combination and I'm willing to eat more fruit without getting bored when I do it that way. A dish of that and maybe an English muffin and I'm generally good to go at breakfast time.

Grapes, but really fresh ones. And Cherries. I lurve Cherries. And crisp apples.

Comice pears (I've only seen them at Burger's market but they are so juicy they are like water balloons)
Ranier cherries
strawberries
blueberries
canteloupe

If you slice a banana, sprinkle some crushed almonds over it and a touch of real maple syrup, you have a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack, and it's more filling than it sounds!

p.s. As far as health benefits, I understand that fruits in general contain cancer-fighting antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial.

what about organic v non organic? I go non organic because organic is so expensive.

Grapefruit (with just a light sprinkle of sugar) and blueberries are my top choices.

A personal favorite of mine is, kind of like Robin mentioned, blueberries with low-fat vanilla yogurt, but I add granola to the mix for some texture and flavor. I also find that if you use frozen blueberries, the juice mixes with the yogurt to flavor the whole dish. If you want variety, Kroger sells a frozen berry mix that's pretty good. I dump the frozen fruit in tupperware and keep it in the fridge, spooning out what I need, mix it with the yogurt then dump granola on top.

Yum.

[Robin Garr]

A personal favorite of mine is, kind of like Robin mentioned, blueberries with low-fat vanilla yogurt, but I add granola to the mix for some texture and flavor.

Funny you mention that, Chris. Mary uses granola. I don't. Jack Spratt, meet Mrs. Spratt.

I can't overstate fabulosity of fresh pineapple. Not only is it super filling but there is something about the taste that at times I just crave. You can get them peeled if you want, but having grown up eating tons of fresh pineapple I am not afraid of peeling one. Costco has 'em right now for like $2.97, I think? And they are big, but not too big.

I try to keep them cut up in some tupperware in fridge for snacks at night, smoothies in the morning, garnish on other dishes.

Check it out!

Cheers...

Chef Dan

If you slice a banana, sprinkle some crushed almonds over it and a touch of real maple syrup, you have a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack, and it's more filling than it sounds!

Try taking this combination, smash up the banana and smear it on a (frozen ) waffle. I use walnuts instead of almonds. It is a great breakfast

hmmm....I wrote a reply, and it disappeared....Let's try again.

I keep blueberries in the freezer just to eat with vanilla yogurt and granola. I pick them in the summer at Bryant's Blueberries in Indiana.

Strawberries. Fresh pineapple. Mandarin oranges in juice. Kiwis. Good fresh grapes. Papaya.

Bananas, Mangoes, Pineapples and Strawberries are my faves. I also like the occasional Bartlett Pear or Honeycrisp Apple.

Melon. Any kind. But only in season. Out of season, they taste like slightly watery, sugary cardboard.

And berries. Again any kind. Also in season, but I also love them frozen. My kids eat them without defrosting. I think they're probably a choking hazard, but so far, I haven't lost a child to the frozen berry threat.

Brian,
Be watchful eating those oranges!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35571332/ ... ?gt1=43001