The time it takes to eat fruit varies from person to person and depends on the individual's digestive situation and health status. In general, eating fruit before meals can be an appetizer and help increase appetite. Eating fruit after a meal may affect the absorption of other nutrients in the food. But there are also those who believe that eating fruit after a meal helps with digestion.
1
Fruits are eaten well before meals
It's better to eat after a meal
Regarding the question of whether to eat fruit before or after meals, you can consider the following aspects:
Digestion and absorption:
Eating fruits before meals can play a certain appetizing role and is conducive to the increase of appetite. At the same time, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in fruits can be adsorbed by the fiber in food, which is conducive to the balanced intake of nutrients. Eating fruit after a meal, especially immediately after a meal, may affect the absorption of other nutrients in the food, as the fruit needs digestive juices to break down, and the digestive juices in the stomach are already consumed by the main meal food.
Blood Sugar Effects:
Eating fruits, especially those high in sugar, after meals may cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, which is especially bad for diabetics. And eating fruit before meals, you can avoid this.
Satiety:
Eating fruit before meals can increase satiety and help control your diet. Eating fruit after a meal may increase appetite due to the sweetness of the fruit, leading to overeating.
Individual Differences:
Everyone's ability to digest and absorb food is different, some people may experience discomfort such as stomach bloating, diarrhea, etc., while some people have no obvious discomfort. Therefore, whether it should be eaten before or after meals also needs to be judged according to the actual situation of the individual.
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The best time to eat different kinds of fruits
Citrus fruits (e.g. oranges, grapefruits)
It is best consumed after breakfast or meals, as their vitamin C aids in iron absorption. However, citrus fruits should not be eaten on an empty stomach as they may stimulate stomach acid secretion.
banana
It can be consumed before or after a meal, but due to its high content of potassium and dietary fiber, it is best consumed before a meal to help increase satiety.
Berries such as strawberries and blueberries
These fruits are rich in antioxidants and are best consumed before or between meals to maximize their health benefits.
tomato
Often seen as a vegetable, tomatoes are actually a fruit. It can be consumed before or after a meal, but it is best avoided on an empty stomach due to its acidity.
pineapple
The enzymes in pineapple, such as bromelain, aid digestion and are best consumed after a meal, but should be avoided on an empty stomach as it may irritate stomach acid.
Watermelon and other fruits with a high water content
It can be consumed between meals, especially in hot weather, to replenish hydration and electrolytes.
3
Depending on the constitution
Recommended time to eat fruit
Cold constitution
It is suitable for eating warm fruits, such as longan, lychee, durian, etc. This type of fruit warms the body and strengthens the body. It is best to consume it in the late afternoon or late afternoon, and avoid eating it early in the morning and late at night to avoid the invasion of cold evil.
Thermally constitutional
It is suitable for eating cold or cold fruits, such as watermelon, melon, grapefruit, etc. These fruits help to clear away heat and detoxify. It is best to consume it early in the morning or afternoon, and avoid it in the evening and at night to avoid cold and cold injuries.
Yin deficiency constitution
It is suitable for eating yin-nourishing fruits, such as pears, apples, bananas, etc. These fruits help nourish the yin fluids. It can be consumed throughout the day, but it should be avoided before bedtime to avoid affecting sleep.
Yang deficiency physique
It is suitable for eating warm fruits, such as peaches, apricots, red dates, etc. These fruits help to warm and replenish yang energy. It is best consumed in the morning and noon and avoided in the afternoon and night.
Qi deficiency physique
It is suitable for eating qi-replenishing fruits, such as apples, bananas, citrus, etc. These fruits help to replenish qi and blood. It can be consumed throughout the day, but it should be avoided at bedtime to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
These recommendations are based on TCM constitution theory and not all TCM practitioners share the same views. In addition, modern nutrition also emphasizes that the best time to consume fruits is determined based on the individual's digestive situation and health status. Therefore, when adjusting the time of fruit consumption, it is best to combine the actual situation and physical condition of the individual.