#17: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

00Angela00

This is day seventeen of our education of the 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Woo Hoo! Some of these you won't be surprised by, some you will. I'll take one out of each food group each day to mix it up a bit.

All information is from the book by jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

Day 17: Apricots

An apricot is basically a tasty little low-calorie bundle of nutrients put together in a beautiful, sun-colored package. What's not to like?

Two medium apricots have about 1 1/2g of fiber, 1,348IU's of vitamin A, 766 IU's of beta-carotene, 181mg of potassium, and, just for good measure, 13mg of phytosterols, plant chemicals that have numerous healthy benefits. Apricots also contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family that is a strong antioxidant and seems to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer

* Some studies have demonstrated that beta-cryptoxanthin can reduce the risk of lung cancer by more than 30%

* Studies have shown that it reduces the risk ofor the untold arthritis by 41%

*Dried apricots are a favorite "health food" and frequently found in train mixes. They're a little high in sugar since they're so concentrated, the calories are higher (1/2 cup of dried apricots has 157 calories vs. 34 for two small whole apricots), and for some strange reason you lose the beta-cryptoxanthin. But they're still a good source of beta-carotene and vitamin A

*Stewed apricots are another option (106 calories for 1/2 cup of stewed fruit, unsweetened); they're delicious, even higher in potassium and fiber, and still loaded with beta-carotene and vitamin A. No beta-cryptoxanthin, though--for that, you need to eat the whole fruit raw

WORTH KNOWING:
Apricots are dietary staple of the Hunza--a remote little kingdom of folds in the Himalayast aht have attracted tons of attention because they live long and stay healthy

For previous posts:
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57017--1-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
OATMEAL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57180--2-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57278--3-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APPLES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57482--4-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57516--5-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EDAMAME: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57602--6-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BUTTER/GHEE http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57689--7-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57791--8-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CRUSTACEA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57940--9-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEE POLLEN: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58069--10-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ACAI JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58196--11-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CARDAMOM: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58290--12-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMOND OIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58381--13-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58426--14-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
QUINOA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58555--15-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
GARBANZO BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58671--16-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

jb_sweet_99

Humm very interesting. Thanks Angela! :flowerforyou:

JoyousMaximus

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

LeanLioness

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

00Angela00

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

Yeah sounds to me like you might be sensitive to them. Do you have any problems with apricots as a whole fruit? Were there any preservatives in it?

00Angela00

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

Yeah sounds to me like you might be sensitive to them. Do you have any problems with apricots as a whole fruit? Were there any preservatives in it?

I found this post online:

Do dried apricots cause diarrhea n vomiting and a swollen belly?
i gave my 2 year old son about 10 dried apricot pieces and his belly swelled up alot and he complained of a sore tummy and then vomitted and had diarrhea, has anyone else had this problem? Could he be allergic or did he have to many

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Yes, dried apricots are a laxative - similar to dried prunes. Even though they are dried and easy to eat, you are essentially eating an entire apricot. So you fed your son 10 apricots at once, which is a huge fibre attack on the colon. No wonder he was uncomfortable. He most likely vomitted because of his young age - adults are likely to have a few hours of discomfort in the bathroom without vomitting.
In the future limit the dried apricot consumption for your son to 1.

00Angela00

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

Yeah sounds to me like you might be sensitive to them. Do you have any problems with apricots as a whole fruit? Were there any preservatives in it?

I found this post online, sounds like maybe you're sensitive to them:

Do dried apricots cause diarrhea n vomiting and a swollen belly?
i gave my 2 year old son about 10 dried apricot pieces and his belly swelled up alot and he complained of a sore tummy and then vomitted and had diarrhea, has anyone else had this problem? Could he be allergic or did he have to many

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Yes, dried apricots are a laxative - similar to dried prunes. Even though they are dried and easy to eat, you are essentially eating an entire apricot. So you fed your son 10 apricots at once, which is a huge fibre attack on the colon. No wonder he was uncomfortable. He most likely vomitted because of his young age - adults are likely to have a few hours of discomfort in the bathroom without vomitting.
In the future limit the dried apricot consumption for your son to 1.

LeanLioness

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

Yeah sounds to me like you might be sensitive to them. Do you have any problems with apricots as a whole fruit? Were there any preservatives in it?

Yes, I have the same thing with apricots eating them raw, dried or stewed...........I love them any way you can think of............No preservatives in the dried ones as they were organic.

I called my naturopath and she said the foods that we love and crave the most that give our bodies issues, that is cause and effect of food allergy...........

She has advised me to eat a couple first thing in the morning with water and see what happens........if I get gastrointestinal issues, then it is an allergy and to remove them from my eating plan for 9 months and then slowly reintroduce them.

I have had to do the same thing with my beloved brocolli.

00Angela00

Be sure to eat dried apricots in moderation. I made the mistake of eating an 8oz bag when I was a teenager. That is not an experience you want to go through. Trust me.

Ok, I was going to post the dangers of dried apricots..............

I purchased a nice 1 lb box of organically dried apricots from Schnucks grocery store........I noticed everytime I snacked on them, I ended up running to the potty.....................

OMG, the other day, I finished off the box (i keep them at my desk at work) and I ended up running on myself (TMI, I know)..............I was the only one in the office, but was still embarrassed. :blushing: :blushing:

Apricots raw, stewed, dried - they give me really bad diahrrea............. I love apricots too, but I am wondering if I am allergic to them as they give me the runs terribly!!!

Yeah sounds to me like you might be sensitive to them. Do you have any problems with apricots as a whole fruit? Were there any preservatives in it?

Yes, I have the same thing with apricots eating them raw, dried or stewed...........I love them any way you can think of............No preservatives in the dried ones as they were organic.

I called my naturopath and she said the foods that we love and crave the most that give our bodies issues, that is cause and effect of food allergy...........

She has advised me to eat a couple first thing in the morning with water and see what happens........if I get gastrointestinal issues, then it is an allergy and to remove them from my eating plan for 9 months and then slowly reintroduce them.

I have had to do the same thing with my beloved brocolli.

I would cry without my brocolli! :sad: Hopefully you're able to get it all figured out! Doesn't sound like any fun!