|
Peaches Nutrition: Facts and
Health Benefits of Peaches
The nutritional value of peaches is
very good as this healthy fruit provides a variety of
vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C.
Its highest vitamin content is vitamin C followed by A.
This fruit is also a good source of potassium and of
dietary fibre which can benefit a controlled diet and
healthy eating plan. Fibre helps to maintain the
digestive system which in turn can encourage weight
loss. Some other health benefits of peaches include the
fact that this fruit is low in saturated fat, sodium and
cholesterol.
Peaches Nutrition: Carbs and Calories
in Peaches
Peaches are low in calories and a
little higher in carbs,
and a very good, healthy fruit whether its eaten raw,
fresh, cooked, canned or dried. The amount of calories
in peaches depends on the method the
fruit is served or cooked, for example if the fruit is
served in syrup or with ice cream, obviously it will contain more calories.
This fruit is extremely low in fat and most of the
calories in peach comes from the sugars. The
following calorie guide can be used to calculate the
amount of peach calories and carbohydrates:
Nutritional Data:
Calories in Peaches per 100 grams:
Fresh, raw peaches
nutrition: 33
calories / 7.6 carbs in peaches
Canned peaches in natural juice nutrition: 39 calories / 9.7 carbs
in peaches
Canned peaches in syrup nutrition: 50 calories / 13.2 carbs in
peaches |
|
|
Peaches Nutrition: Facts
about Peaches
-
There are lots
of recipes for peaches which are really healthy and
very easy to make - this fruit provides essential
vitamins. It is high in vitamin A and C.
-
Georgia
received the name Peach State as this fruit is so
popularly grown there!
-
Peaches are
versatile so they can be eaten raw or cooked -
possible cooking methods including poaching,
grilling and baking.
-
Clingstone
peach means the flesh of the peach clings to the
stone.
-
Freestone
peach means the flesh of the peach easily detaches
from the stone.
|
|
 |
|
Peaches Nutrition:
Types of Peaches and Nutrition info
There are different varieties of
peach which vary mainly by the color of their skin and
flesh. Some fruits are widely recognized by their name
or variety, however, it's a little different with
peaches. The following information provides some facts
about the different variety of peaches available:
White peaches
nutrition variety: Mireille
peach originates from France and is popular variety.
Yellow peaches
nutrition varieties:
Bellgarde peach, Royal George peach and Elegant Lady
Peach.
Red peaches nutrition variety: P�che de Vigne, which means peach
of the grapevine, are grown in France. P�che de
Vignes are a very popular type as they taste divine.
This is a dull looking fuzzy peach which is small in
size, but has wonderfully, tasty red flesh inside.
Canned peaches
nutrition : This fruit is
available canned in juice or syrup; juice being the
healthier option. The fruit doesn't provide the usual
soft delicate texture as it does when eaten fresh.
However, peaches bruise easily so this is still a
delicious and very healthy alternative.
Dried peaches
nutrition : This type is
becoming increasingly popular. Dried peaches are
particularly good for peach dessert recipes including
tarts and cakes.
Peaches Nutrition:
Nutritional Information and Health Benefits of Peaches
Peaches are a stone fruit (otherwise known as
drupes) and they are a member of the Prunus family.
This fruit has fuzzy, velvety soft skin, the color
of peach which is a combination of the shades of
yellow, orange and red colors. The most common types
of peaches are round in shape with a small pointy
end. The flesh of peaches is deliciously juicy,
soft, succulent and textured. The flavor is sweet
and very distinct. The peach flesh may vary in color
from shades of white, yellow and tinges of red. The
peach seed or stone is fairly large, it is deeply
ridged and lies at the centre of the fruit. This
type of fruit is grown on peach trees but one
interesting fact about the peach tree is that it can
also produce the nectarine fruit! Nectarines and
peaches are very similar, the main difference being
their skin texture. The nectarine is smooth unlike
the fuzzy peach. |
|
|
Peaches Nutrition:
History of Peaches and Nutrition Info
The name peach derives from the Latin
phrase 'Persicum malum' which means Persian apple. Some
of the great explorers were involved in the discovery of
peaches and introducing them to other countries and
continents. It is thought that it was Sir Alexander the
Great who took the fruit from Persia and introduced it
to the Romans and the Greeks. The popularity of the
peach grew throughout Europe and later, it is believed
that Christopher Columbus introduced peaches to America.
A very interesting fact about peaches is that the fruit became
so popular throughout the State of Georgia GA and so
widely grown in this county that it became known as the
peach state! The Chinese have favored the fruit and have
grown peaches for centuries, to many people in China,
the peach holds great meaning and it has become somewhat
a traditional to leave a branch outside the front door,
or to grow a peach tree near to the entrance to their
home to protect them from evil. Peaches Nutrition:
Picking and Storing
Peaches to retain nutrition
Look for healthy peaches that are as
ripe as possible as this fruit doesn't ripen well after
it has been picked from the tree, although they will
soften within a day or two when stored at room
temperature. Peaches can bruise and become damaged
easily as they are delicate fruits with soft velvety
skin. Press the peach very gently to check it is neither
too firm nor soft. Make sure the skin is healthy without
bruising or markings. Peaches do not keep well so try to
eat them within a few days, otherwise they will soften
and become moldy.Peaches Nutrition: Preparing
Peaches for Cooking
The fuzzy skin of peaches is an
acquired taste, it's certainly edible but not to
everybody's liking. To peel a peach, nip the skin, place
it in a bowl, pour boiling water over it and after
around thirty seconds, rinse it off with cold water and
you should find that the skin peels away quite easily.
This fruit is excellent for many recipes including
cakes, tarts, pancakes, sorbet, ice cream, souffles,
salads, pies, jam, jelly, chutney or even to accompany
meat such as chicken or seafood such as lobster. Peaches
can be used to make drinks including liqueurs, champagne
and peach juice. |
|
|
|
Poached Peach Nutrition
Peaches can be eaten raw or cooked.
Poached peach is becoming a popular cooking method and
the following instructions will show that it is in fact
very simple and easy to do:
-
Peel 8 peaches
(following the instructions on how to peel a peach
under the preparation section above)
-
Pour 1 litre of
water into a saucepan.
-
Add 500 grams of
granulated sugar, 1 piece of cinnamon, 2 strips of
lemon rind and half a split vanilla pod to the
water.
-
Stir the mixture
to help the sugar to dissolve whilst bringing it to
the boil for approximately five minutes.
-
Add the peeled
peaches to the water mixture, turn them occasionally
and allow to poach until the peaches are tender.
-
Allow the peaches
to cool in the syrup mixture.
|
|
|
|
Health
experts and nutritionists believe that a well-balanced
diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and
vegetables per day will help to considerably improve our
lifestyles and ultimately extend our lives |
|
|
|
|