Dates are a Nutritional Powerhouse

A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Waistline

Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash

Dates. Yes, you know them and probably have eaten them before. And no, not a romantic dinner with a date, or new friends; I am, of course, talking about the fruit.

Dates are what tropical palm trees produce, but if you live on the western side of the globe, you may have only seen the ones that are dried. They are chewy, and naturally sweet. They make for tasty pre-workout fuel or salty and sweet snack food when paired with nuts or nut butter. Now, let’s first talk about nutrition before telling you how else I enjoy eating them.

For 4 dates (about 100g), you get 277 calories, 75g of carbohydrates, of which there’s 7g of fiber, 2g of protein. They also provide a number of micronutrients such as copper, potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6, and a little iron too. However, what excites me the most is that they provide a greater total antioxidant value compared to most other dried fruit which offers a host of health benefits.

Now, before we get to the antioxidants, I hear you. You’re saying, “75g of carbs in only 4 dates is a lot!” Sure, it is. And those 4 dates also offer 7g of fiber! Fiber is critical for supporting digestion, balancing blood sugar, and promoting healthy bowel elimination. And yes, even that net carb count of 68g is a lot which is part of…