Dates with pits
Medjool dates not only taste great, they’re great for you. They are a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, without the sodium or fat found in other snacks. A serving of dates helps fulfill the “2 to 4 servings of fruit and vegetables a day” guideline. A serving of dates provides approximately 14% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of fiber, which has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Eating dates and drinking water is an ideal, natural way to replenish the body’s need for potassium. In fact, weight for weight, dates contain more potassium than do bananas.
Dates contain a variety of B-complex vitamins. A serving of dates contains 31 grams of carbohydrates, making them a powerhouse of energy. The carbohydrates found in dates, include about three grams of dietary fiber and about 3 grams of naturally occurring sugars, such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose. These carbohydrates provide quick energy and are readily assimilated into, and used by, the body. This makes dates a perfect choice as an energy-boosting snack.
