30 Fruits Which Are Not As Healthy As They Seem

By Carole 1 year ago

1. Dates

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Dates are lovely and sweet with a caramel texture which means you can't stop at eating just a couple at a time. Dried dates can be used in recipes, particularly baking, as a natural sweetener. Although they are rich in antioxidants, they are very high in calories and sugar. A cup full of dried dates is 450 calories and 100 grams of sugar!

2. Ripe Banana

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A sliced banana over cereal or in yogurt can be part of a nutritious breakfast, to keep you going until lunch time. However, think twice if you are consuming a ripe banana as it contains almost all carbs. - 93% to be exact!  Also, around 15% of the banana is sugar.

3. Strawberries

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Delicious strawberries are good for you and contain essential vitamins that our body needs.  There is a catch though.  In order to keep up with demand and for strawberries to be available all the year round, farmers rely on toxic chemicals to keep the plants producing through every season and these chemicals are bad for the environment.

4. Cherries

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Because of their small size, it's easy to eat a pound of cherries without even realising.  Like mangoes and grapes, cherries have a very high sugar content.  A cup of cherries contains 18 grams of sugar which makes this fruit a poor choice for dieters and diabetics.

5. Cranberries

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We are often told that cranberries and cranberry juice are a natural remedy for UTIs but the American Medical Association states there is no substantial evidence that this is the case.  They have found that the amount of hippuric acid present in the fruit is not sufficient to make an impact.

6. Avocado

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Avocados are simply loaded with vitamins and minerals together with fiber, to support our digestive health.  Smashed avocado on toast is a favorite of mine!  Whilst avocados are very low in sugar, a cup contains approximately 22 grams of fat and around 240 calories.

7. Mango

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Mangoes are soft, creamy and very sweet. That's why we love them so much!  They're literally brimming with goodness, with nutrients such as Vitamin C, copper and folate.  There is a catch you should be aware of before you rush out to buy some. They contain the highest amount of sugar per cup than any other fruit, 23 grams in this case.

8. Dried Fruit

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You may be shocked to discover that when you eat a handful of dried fruit, you are consuming many more calories than you would if you ate that same amount in the form of fresh fruit. The concern with dried fruit is the portion size and not the amount of sugar. A 160 gram serving is 477 calories.

9. Prunes

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Prunes are a dried fruit that are made from plums. They are used as a natural remedy for constipation due to the high quantity of fiber they contain but, like other dried fruits, they are high in calories, carbs. and sugar. A cup of pitted prunes is 418 calories with 66 grams of sugar.

10. Lychee

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Lychees, the tropical fruit native to southeastern China, have a unique appearance and taste. They contain Vitamin C, copper and potassium. If you are on a low sugar diet or are diabetic, be mindful that a cup of raw lychees contain about 29 grams of the sweet stuff.

11. Dried Coconut

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Shredded coconut is often used in smoothie bowls, breakfast dishes and baked foods.  It's true that it's high in copper, manganese and selenium but the downside is that it's a high fat product and quite calorific. A single cup contains 560 calories which you probably would not expect.

12. Candied Fruit

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Candied fruit is made by soaking and heating fruit in a sugar syrup, resulting in a product with a sweet flavor and a long shelf life. It's high in sugar and carbs, contains lots of calories and is very low in fiber. With 322 calories per 100 gram serving and 81 grams of sugar, think twice before you get stuck in there.

13. Grapes

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Grapes are so easy to eat and you can get through a whole bag of them in no time at all.  They are a fruit so must be so good for you or......  Unfortunately there are negative side effects to eating grapes.  They can actually cause you to gain weight as they are full of carbs.  They can cause gut issues and even allergy attacks so take heed.

14. Fruit Juice

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Drinking fresh fruit juice is a way of consuming lots of fruit in one go. When you are enjoying your smoothie, remember that there is lots of sugar and carbs in the liquid, depending on which fruit you have added to the mix. A high intake of these juices has been linked to type 2 diabetes.

15. Canned Fruit In Syrup

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There's no doubt that canned fruit is a convenient way of getting a few servings of fruit into your diet.  Having said that, for those with diabetes, stay clear. This is because canned fruit is usually higher in sugar and carbs and lower in fiber than other kinds of fruit.

16. Mandarin

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For those who suffer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux, certain fruits, mandarins included, could worsen your symptoms.  These fruits are nutritious and can easily fit into a balanced diet but you should limit your intake if you find they tend to trigger symptoms of acid reflux.

17. Orange

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Oranges and other citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C, potassium and fiber. They are also highly acidic and could worsen heartburn for those who struggle with GERD. One medium sized orange contains 75 calories and 12 grams of sugar. The sweeter the fruit, the more sugar it contains.

18. Tomato

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Tomatoes are both a fruit and a vegetable, depending on who you speak to! They are very nutritious, rich in fiber, Vitamin C and lycopene, the latter being proven for its antioxidant effects. As with citrus fruits, the acid in tomatoes and tomato based foods can trigger symptoms for those with acid reflux.

19. Grapefruit

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Grapefruit is a citrus fruit recognised for its tart and slightly bitter flavor. On the plus side, it's low in calories, rich in Vitamins A and C, thiamine and potassium. On the negative side it can be a trigger for people with GERD. Best to eat this fruit in small quantities.

20. Lime

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It's tough to point out what is wrong with limes. Full of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants they have to be beneficial to your body. "Healthline" say that they fall into the "don't eat" category because limes contain furocoumarin, a chemical which reacts with sunlight. If it absorbs into your skin it can cause blisters which take ages to heal.

21. Pineapple

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Pineapple, tropical and totally delicious, comes in at 17 grams of sugar per single cup. It contains manganese which assists in regulating blood sugar, if taken in moderation.  Pineapple is sometimes served salted in some countries which cancels out its goodness.

22. Watermelon

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You would think that watermelon had no calories whatsoever as it is mainly water but, shock horror, it contains a ton of sugar, the same amount as a mango!  A couple of wedges of watermelon is sufficient to gain health benefits but any more and you will be in sugar overload!

23. Apple

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There is a saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It might not keep the dentist away though!  Apples contain lots of sugar so if you are a diabetic, best to avoid the crunchy fruit. If you do fancy an apple, don't eat it late at night as the acid in it will go for your teeth.

24. Kiwi

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Kiwis can be quite dangerous as they contain an actinidine compound . This can cause an allergic reactions in some individuals. Those that do develop a reaction could have difficulty breathing and their throat might swell up. Kiwis are also high in sugar compared to other fruits.

25. Pear

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As a medium sized pear contains 17 grams of sugar, don't eat a whole one if you're trying to lose weight. Add a few thin slices to some low fat yogurt or add to a salad to jazz it up, with a touch of balsamic vinegar over it. If the pear is overripe, the sugar content will go up.

26. How Much Is Too Much Fruit?

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Is there such as thing as too much fruit if you are a healthy adult with no serious underlying health conditions? Well,  most Americans don't eat nearly enough of it. Adults should consume at least 1 ½ cups of fruit every single day. Being a “fruitarian” where fruit is all you eat can be concerning as you are not getting enough nutrients from other foods.

27. Which Fruit Burns Fat At Night?

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Here's a good one for you! The best fruits to eat in the evening which may help you with weight loss are melons, both cantaloupe and honeydew. They have a high water content and are low in calories. Melon can satisfy a sweet tooth, so will keep you off the candy and cookies!

28. Are Fruit Smoothies Good For You?

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Sipping a smoothie in the morning is healthy for you! This is the case when you put healthy ingredients into it. If your smoothie consists mainly of fruit (and vegetables) it can fill you up and counts as a healthy breakfast. It can even go towards a calorie controlled diet.

29. Chew Fruit Or Blend It - Which Is Best

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When you swallow your food, it enters the stomach and the process of digestion begins. The chewed up food is further broken down and releases even more nutrients for your body to absorb. With blending, the process is changed because of the appearance and texture but this process DOES NOT make food lose its nutrients.

30. What Should "Five A Day" Include?

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If you want to get the most out of your "five a day", then the portions should include both fruit and vegetables. This is because different fruits and veggies contain different combinations of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.  Pretty much all fruit and vegetables count towards this target and remember that frozen produce counts as well!

31. Dangerous foods you didn't know could kill you: mushrooms

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Mushrooms do have a reputation for being poisonous, deadly or - sometimes - used for something other than cooking... but in terms of dangerous food specifically, you might want to avoid cremini mushrooms, because this type can have certain ones that contain poison.

32. Tomatoes

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We spoke about this particular fruit not being as healthy as it seems, but there's something else you should be aware of: those nasty leaves! Be careful not to accidentally consume any of the leaves because they contain a poison named Glycoalkaloid - and this includes in the stems, too.

33. Rhubarb

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The good news for you fans of baked sweet treats is that you don't have to worry about the rhubarb itself - it's more the leaves you have to watch out for! Rhubarb leaves are poisonous, which can result in a variety of serious side effects, including kidney failure, and in some cases, death!

34. Peanuts

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This only counts if you have a peanut allergy, but the trouble is, a lot of people might not know they have an allergy before they eat one... Peanut allergies are among the most well known, and can be very serious, resulting in loss of consciousness, restricted airways and death.

35. Shellfish

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If you're a lover of seafood, no doubt shellfish is one of your top favorites, especially as a treat out at a restaurant - which is all well and good if you're not allergic to shellfish. If you are, it can be very dangerous, resulting in restricting your airways and can even be life-threatening.

36. Potatoes

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Potatoes are a staple for most people, whether as fries, baked potato or jacket potato smothered in cheese. So you might be surprised to hear they can be life-threatening! While potato poisoning is very rare, it can still happen - but it's the stems and leaves you have to watch out for.

37. Cherries

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If you were already reeling about the high sugar revelation when it comes to cherries, we have even worse news for you. Cherries can also be very dangerous - or, more specifically, the cherry seeds can be. The seeds in cherries contain something you'll want to avoid: a poison named hydrogen cyanide.

38. Raw meat

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Okay, so this might go without saying, but sometimes you can consume uncooked meat without intending to. Like if you enjoy a very, very rare steak, or you don't bother to check whether your meat is actually cooked. Raw meat contains salmonella bacteria, which can lead to poisoning - and even death in people with very weak immune systems.

39. Uncooked eggs

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The same actually goes for uncooked eggs. Sometimes people might consume raw eggs if they're making some sort of hangover cure smoothie, or if they don't cook them well enough in the pan. Uncooked eggs, just like raw meat, contain salmonella bacteria which can lead to the same issues.

40. Almonds

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Almonds are delicious, but they can also be deadly. While they have a lot of health benefits, they also have the potential to be poisonous. In their raw form, bitter almonds contain cyanide. This toxin is removed through an extensive heat treatment, which is why the raw almonds are the ones to be avoided!

41. Hot Dogs

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You might want to swerve every hot dog vendor the next time you go to a busy city like New York - and no, luckily, we don't mean because they're secretly poisonous. The main problem with hot dogs is that they're one of the biggest choking hazards, especially for young children.

42. Elderberries

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Elderberries are not as well known as fruits like apples or oranges, but they crop up a lot more than you'd think, in things like sodas, liquors and even in medicines. The trouble with elderberries is that the plant - specifically the stem and leaves - can cause some severe stomach upset.

43. Castor Oil

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Castor oil is used in a lot of things these days, including even skincare routines as well as cooking. Castor oil itself is generally safe to use - provided the original castor beans were properly prepared. The original bean plant is full of the poison called ricin, so castor oil needs to have been prepared safely.

44. Sannakji

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If you already weren't a fan of seafood or calamari, then it's about to get worse - sannakji is a dish made from live octopus, popular in Korean cuisine. That's right, you actually eat a live octopus. The life-threatening concern with this one is that if you don't chew it properly and swallow with the suction cups still fully intact, they can get stuck in your throat.

45. Ackee

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Ackee is a fruit which looks a little like a pear, and as long as it's been riped fully, it's not an issue. But if you don't let the ackee ripen fully, it will still have traces of a toxin that could be fatal. This is also the reason that importing the ackee in its raw form is banned in the US.

46. Honey

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Don't worry, we're not going to put you off eating your favorite creamy sweet treat - just as long as the honey you're consuming has been pasteurized properly. If not, honey will have traces of poisonous toxins which, best case, can lead to headaches and vomiting and, worse case, death.

47. Tuna

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Mercury poisoning is a danger most people are aware of when it comes to certain raw fish, and it's something you should definitely take care with. People who enjoy sushi should very much pay attention to their raw tuna intake, as it can result in dangerous symptoms including high blood pressure.

48. Bean sprouts

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Bean sprouts are a popular choice for topping on salads, which is also why you might think they're completely healthy and nothing to worry about. The real danger from bean sprouts, though, comes from the fact they're usually eaten raw - which can risk things like e.coli and salmonella still being present.

49. Chili peppers

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If you're a lover of hot and spicy food, then no doubt chili peppers are always something you pick up at the grocery store. Chili peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin, and while it's not a problem if you're just eating one or two, if you're eating a ton of them, it could result in your lungs constricting.

50. Marshmallows

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The main reason these sweet treats are life-threatening is the peak in trends - namely, the competition of putting as much marshmallows in your mouth as possible. As you can imagine, this makes marshmallows a choking hazard - and unfortunately some people have died from trying to do this.

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