Dried Fruit as a Substitute for Sweets?

Is Dried Fruit Healthier Than Candy? I’ve heard that dried apricots are better than jelly beans.

Yes, compared to sweets like gummy bears, dried fruit is a better choice.

Dried fruits are dried industrially so that the water they contain is removed, but valuable ingredients such as minerals, secondary plant substances and fiber are retained. The ingredients are concentrated and increase significantly compared to fresh fruit, including the fruit’s own sugar. As a result, dried fruit tastes very intense and sweet.

However, dried fruit should only be eaten in small amounts. Because of the concentrated sugar, they provide a lot of energy. For example, 1 serving (1 handful) of dried apricots provides 3 times as much sugar as 1 serving (1 handful) of fresh apricots. A supposedly healthy alternative to sweets can quickly become a sugar bomb.

Another disadvantage of dried fruit compared to fresh fruit is that some vitamins, such as vitamin C, are lost as a result of drying. Dried fruit can also have a laxative effect due to the high fiber content and lead to flatulence. Industrially produced dried fruit is usually treated with sulfur dioxide before drying to prevent the fruit from darkening. Sensitive people may react to sulfur dioxide with headaches and nausea. In some cases, preservatives such as sorbic acid are used, which can be of concern in asthma or neurodermatitis.

Dried fruit in moderation (1 handful per day) is a good alternative to sweets.

But:  Dried fruit cannot replace fresh fruit. 2 portions (1 portion equals 1 handful) of fruit per day are ideal.