Most of us consider fruit to be healthy – something that we can enjoy without restraint.

And while fresh fruit does contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, the market place has been flooded with “fruit products” that are sabotaging your fat loss results.  
Is any product with the word “fruit” in the name a valid way to meet your fruit quota? Nope. Here’s what I mean:   

Problem fruit 1: Juice  
Fresh fruit juice can be wonderful. It has great flavor, great color, and good amounts of important vitamins and minerals. At least it does when it is actually fruit juice.

Unfortunately, many drinks labeled as fruit juice contain a very low amount of actual fruit juice. For these hardly-fruit fruit juices, sugar and water make up the bulk of the contents, robbing you of the important benefits of all-natural fruit juice and leaving you primed and ready to fill your fat cells.  Always keep fruit juice indulgences to a minimum, as even the fruit-only kind is loaded with simple sugars.   

Problem fruit 2: The fruit smoothie  
Now, now, don’t get all up in arms. Smoothies have long been considered a healthy treat, but this often a misconception.

It’s not that all fruit smoothies are unhealthy. In fact, a smoothie can give you a big boost of vitamins and minerals that help you feel energetic and ready to face the day. However, it’s very easy to add more sugar than is found in many desserts, losing all the healthy benefits and putting you at risk for fat storage.  To keep your smoothie lean and healthy, don’t add ice cream or frozen yogurt, processed sweeteners, or other items that are high in sugar and filled with empty calories.

Keep your smoothie nothing but fruit, ice, juice, yogurt, and a nice scoop of protein powder to ensure it is high on the health chart.   

Problem fruit 3: Fruit-filled desserts  
Lots of desserts are based around fruit. Cheesecake, pie, and upside down cake just to name a few. Though most of these desserts are unhealthy, there are a few healthy fruit-based desserts to enjoy.

Fruit parfait and fruit sorbet are usually lower in sugar and calories than most desserts. And if you just have to have your cake and eat it with berries too, a light angel food will do just fine. Just make sure the slice of cake is thin.   

Problem fruit 4: Fruit-flavored cereals  
Hopefully, eating bowl after bowl of fruity cereals that leave your milk pink and orange is only a problem for your kids. But if you’re still hooked on cereals that claim to have some semblance of fruit while being filled with added sugars and calories, it’s time for a change.

Yes, these cereals may taste good, but sugar-laden breakfast cereals are ruining your fitness results—even if they supposedly have real fruit flavors. Wean yourself from the fruity cereals by chopping some real fruit into a bowl of healthy, sugar-free, whole grain cereal.  

Stick with the real deal. The best way to avoid unhealthy fruit-flavored products is to only eat raw, whole fruits and avoid packaged fruit in any shape or form. This will keep you on track with your fitness and fat loss goal.  

Don’t forget that true fitness success comes from a combination of a consistent, challenging exercise routine coupled with a diet of wholesome, unprocessed foods.  

Kim Avant is owner of Never Stop Playing Fitness in Matthews.

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