Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.


We're talking about food this week on Health Watch. Nutritional guidelines suggest adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. One way to do that is through snacks. Dried fruits, like raisins and prunes, are one good option. Dr. Scott Grundy, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says raisins are a good source of iron and potassium, as well as smaller amounts of minerals such as zinc and calcium.

One thing to remember about dried fruit, though: they're a concentrated source of sugar and may be high in calories. Some dried fruits may also be sweetened and contain additional sugar. Check the label before you start snacking.

Fresh fruit also makes a good portable, nutritious snack. It's easy to take a banana, apple or orange with you on a busy day.

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^March 2006

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