When to Eat Fruits, Before or After Meals?

You can eat fruit before or after you eat lunch or dinner, or you can even eat fruit as a snack. But, the most important thing is that you always include plenty of fruit in your daily menu.

Should you eat fruit before or after meals? Fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet, and nutritionists recommend having at least two to three pieces of fruit each day. Quantity is not the only important factor, but also timing. Many people think that eating fruit after your main meal is wrong. But, there are others that completely disagree with that opinion.

Why have fruit after meals?

As we mentioned before, there are those who prefer having fruit as a dessert and after their main dish. Fruit is the healthiest dessert option. Having fruit as dessert helps you to avoid eating candies or other high-calorie desserts.

Of course, you also must watch your diet and have a healthy main meal, so that the dessert helps to keep it balanced.

It will always be healthier to choose fruits over regular desserts. But, it will be even better if you eat fruits that are in season. For example, watermelon during summer and oranges in autumn/winter.

Why have fruit before your meal?

Eating fruit before your lunch/dinner is your best option if you usually have snacks before your main meals. This will help you feel less hungry before you eat and therefore you will not eat in excess.

This is one of the recommendations given to those on a diet because fruit can be a satiating snack. It will provide you with fiber and water without adding too many calories.

On top of that, the defenders of eating fruit as a snack claim that it facilitates digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Having fruits as snacks promote having an active metabolism, and they also help you to avoid falling into the temptation of eating processed foods that contain lots of sugar.

Avoid switching fruits for juices

And no, we don’t mean just the commercial juices that you find at supermarkets! We are also referring to the juices you make at home. The main reason why juices are not as healthy as the fruit is when you juice the fruit, you discard the pulp. That’s where most of the nutrients and fiber are found.

Also, we know that the intake of natural sugar without the fiber can provoke hyperglycemia in our bodies. Meaning your blood sugar will increase suddenly. To avoid this, eat the entire fruit, with all its pulp and fiber.

Other facts about fruits

Regardless if you choose to eat fruits before or after your meals, remember, fruits are a low-calorie food. This is highly beneficial for your diet. Keep a balanced diet with the help of fruits and vegetables and you’ll be healthier.

Keep in mind that not all fruits have the same caloric value. It’s important that you coordinate the fruits you choose with the menu you’ll be having. For example, bananas, coconuts, avocados and dates are more caloric than apples, grapefruits, watermelons or pears.

It’s essential that you add fruits to your diet, they will provide you with vital vitamins and minerals. On top of that, fruits are great anti-oxidants, provide fiber, hydrates and help to purify your body.