Here's a sweet fresh fruit salad recipe for your holiday meal. Most home cooks, nutritional experts and top chefs know that eating fresh fruits and green vegetables provide excellent nutrition. Meals rich in fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, fibers and other necessary substances.
Vitamin A which is found in many vegetables and fruits especially carrots is believed to improve eye sight and vision.
Vitamin C helps in healing wounds and provides immunity against cold and cough.
This kind of diet has the capability to act as powerful antioxidants and thus protect the body from harmful free radicals.
Most fruits and vegetables are low on fat and calories yet can be filling. This stops the hunger- munger from overeating. People who eat a lot fruits and vegetables have better control on their weight.
1. A fresh fruit salad recipe also helps boost energy levels and reduces risk of diabetes to a large extent. Also, a diet with fruit and vegetables helps lower the level of cholesterol in the blood and reduces blood pressure.
2. Experts are of the opinion that diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
3. These diets rich in fruits and vegetables are also believed to reduce the risk of heart attack. Top chefs around the world also suggest a gluten free diet for a healthy heart.
4. Eating fruits and vegetables is known to make the skin glow with health and beauty.
5. Some green vegetables are an excellent source of folic acid which is of tremendous importance during pregnancy.
6. Studies have proven that consuming vegetables and fruits can make you a happier person by uplifting your mood and making you feel happier about your body.
With all these excellent benefits, a fresh fruit salad is the perfect addition to a lunch, brunch, or dinner gathering, as well as a casual picnic table.
Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe
This is a yummy fresh fruit salad. You could call it a strawberry fruit salad because that's the main fruit. You can make this perfect for a diabetic by substituting Splenda for the sugar.
Ingredients:
2 cups strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup green grapes
1 red apple
1 banana
1 orange
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1/4 fresh shaved coconut (optional)
1 cup fresh whipped cream (can substitute 8 oz Cool Whip)
1 cup sour cream
1 small Philadelphia cream cheese (8 oz)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (can substitute Splenda)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions:
Wash fruit. Remove uneatables such as stems, apple core and peelings. Reserve 4 whole strawberries for topping. Take an egg slicer and slice remaining strawberries. Set aside in bowl. Cut banana in half and slice. Add to bowl along with grapes, blueberries and blackberries. Peel orange, remove any seeds. Pull apart sections and cut each in half or thirds depending on how large the sections are. You want bite-size pieces. Peel apple and chop. Add to waiting fruit bowl.
In a separate bowl, whip softened cream cheese with the sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Add whipped cream. Gently fold. Add the cream mixture to the waiting fruit bowl. Carefully mix so as not to crush fruit or disturb natural juices.
Garnish with reserved strawberries. Optionally, top with the chopped walnuts and coconut.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to allow all the fruit flavors to meld together.
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