One of the most common resolutions for the New Year is to eat better and be healthier, but that doesn’t necessarily mean giving up sweet treats! Fruits can satisfy those cravings and are an essential part of your diet. Most importantly, they’re great to eat due to their nutrients, fiber, and delicious taste. Ranging from citrus to sweet to rich in flavor, these five fruit recommendations below are sure to get your year started off right!

And don't forget, adding fruits to your diet can help boost energy, lose weight, and improve overall health and mood. Sweet!

Oranges

During winter, oranges and other citrus fruits are at their sweetest and juiciest, so what better way is there to start this list? An average orange is around 80 calories and can provide 130 percent of your vitamin C needs for the day!

They also contain vitamins A and B-6, potassium, magnesium, copper, and so much more - over 170 different phytochemicals and 60 flavonoids. No wonder they’re so amazing for your immune system!

Fun Tip: Keep a bowl on your kitchen table or counter stocked with bright, alluring fruit like oranges. This will encourage you to choose them for a snack rather than rummage your cupboards!

Pears

A bit milder in their sweetness, pears are dense with a fibrous center. This fruit is packed with essential antioxidants, plant compounds, and dietary fiber all in a fat and cholesterol free 100 calorie package. Their main nutrients include vitamin C and K and potassium!

Specifically, one pear provides approximately 24% of the daily fiber an adult needs. They contain soluble fiber called pectin, which nourishes a healthy gut to improve gut bacteria and digestion. This can help naturally treat diseases of the gut, like Diverticulitis as well as encourage natural detoxification.

Fun Tip: There are over 3,000 types of pears in the world. Consider asking a local greengrocer about the best type of pear for your tastes!

Strawberries

Arguably the sweetest items on the list no matter your taste buds, strawberries are bright red, juicy, and a treat. They’re also abundant in nutrients! Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C and B-9, manganese, and potassium as well as plant compounds, which have numerous health benefits.

In fact, eating strawberries is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. A single strawberry averages around 32 calories and is 91% water. Even more interesting, they’ve been found to reduce inflammation and lower bad cholesterol. They’re an excellent addition to any diet - just be careful when introducing them to children, as an allergy to them is fairly common.

Fun Tip: Make a fruit salad with strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and grapes!

BONUS Tip: Florida Strawberries are in season now - through March! You'll see why these sweet berries have made Florida famous as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the USA!

Pomegranates

Sweet and a little tart, pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits on Earth. The skin is thick and inedible, but on the inside, there are hundreds of delicious edible seeds. One cup of these seeds is simply impressive, averaging 7 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, 30% daily vitamin C, 36% daily of vitamin K, 16% daily folate, and 12% daily potassium. Wow! And a cup is about 144 calories.

On top of those nutrients, pomegranate seeds pack two unique plant compounds that have powerful medicinal properties. This creates potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight things like cancer or diabetes. It is a natural aide in helping fight bacterial and fungal infections as well. This is only the tip of the iceberg for what pomegranates can do, too!

Fun Tip: If exercising is also a part of your New Year, then you should eat a cup thirty minutes before working out. Studies have shown this fruit helps enhance blood flow, which delays fatigue in order to increase exercise efficiency!

Persimmons

Persimmons have a “honey-like” flavor that is sweet, mild, and rich. Originally from China, persimmon trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for these delicious fruits. With only 118 calories, they also bear 31 grams of carbs and a gram of protein and 55% daily vitamin A! That’s just the start, though, as they also have vitamins C, E, K, B6, and potassium.

As an excellent source of powerful antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids, a rich diet of these has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. Uniquely, they are also great to support your vision health.

Fun Tip: To make this healthy snack into a healthy dessert, you can roast persimmons in the oven and drizzle a bit of honey on them!

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