Pear Snacking - (2024)

FAQs

How many pears is it okay to eat a day? ›

Eating two pears every day meets your fruit needs as outlined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. What could be sweeter? But Doesn't Fruit Contain Sugar?

Early research shows that eating pears 3 times daily between meals while on a calorie-controlled diet might help reduce weight by a small amount over 12 weeks.

Apples and pears have equal amounts of minerals potassium, phosphorous and sodium, and vitamins C and B2. Pears contain more iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamins B3 and K than apples, while apples are richer in vitamins A, E and B1.

Potential Uses of pear for the liver health

Pear has antioxidants that might show a beneficial effect on liver health. In an animal study conducted by Ajilore B et al. 2016, the seed extract of pear fruit showed a decrease in oxidative stress on the liver.

Bananas have a 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose while pears have twice as much fructose as glucose. Sports drinks have a sugar profile similar to bananas, but in a 2012 study Gillit and Nieman showed that bananas are not only an effective alternative to sports drinks but also a healthier option.

It all depends on your strategy. If your snacking habit currently takes you over your calorie goal, and you simply stop eating snacks, you will lose weight. However if you avoid snacking, but replace the calories by increasing the calories in your main meals, you will not lose weight.

Instead of snacking when you're not hungry, distract yourself and substitute a healthier behavior. Take a walk, watch a movie, play with your cat, listen to music, read, surf the internet or call a friend. Take away temptation. Don't keep hard-to-resist comfort foods in your home.

Pears have high water content — this helps keep stools soft and flushes the digestive system of toxins. A 2015 systematic review of the health benefits of pears suggested that their laxative effect comes from their high fiber and fructose content.

Superfood #5: Pears

Pears contain a type of fibre called pectin, which slows digestion and is especially good for weight loss. The folate in pears helps to prevent certain birth defects such as spina bifida, so gobble them down if you're expecting!

In addition to being rich in fiber, pears are a natural laxative due to their higher fructose content and the presence of sorbitol, per a 2022 study in Foods. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is not well-absorbed and draws water to the colon, making stools soft and easy to pass.

What are the pros and cons of eating pears? ›

They are low in protein and can cause an imbalance of your essential fatty acids. On the other hand, pears are high in fiber; increase good gut bacteria and prolong your life. Balance out the disadvantages of pears by eating other fruit and vegetables in your diet. Also eat enough protein every day.

What you're looking for is a slight give when applying pressure to the pear's neck. If it feels firm and hard, it's best to wait a few more days. If it feels very soft or your finger easily breaks the skin, bad news — your pear is overripe and possibly close to going bad. A slight softness means you're good to go.

Eating fruits at night instead of a high-calorie snack like chips, cookies, or ice cream can help keep your calorie intake in check. Fruits like berries, apples, pears, and grapes are low in calories and high in fiber, making them an excellent option for a late-night snack.

Medium fresh fruit

A portion is 1 piece of fruit, such as 1 apple, banana, pear, orange or nectarine.

Pears Are Free Radical Fighters

This means eating pears—and other foods high in antioxidants—can reduce your risk of developing cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

The fruits with the highest sugar content include mangoes, pomegranates, oranges, and pears. If someone has diabetes, they can still have these fruits, but they may wish to ask their doctor if they should eat them in smaller portions.