If you’re one of the Capetonians that actually gets out and about on the odd hike, you’ve probably snacked on dried fruit from time to time.

They’re usually a staple in the backpack, because they pack a nutrient-rich punch for their size.

A quick comparison, as an example – a half-cup of dried apricots has 4,7 grams of fibre, whereas the same amount of fresh apricots has only 1,6 grams.

Sounds grand, right? Of course everything these days comes with a caveat, so here’s CNN to pick it all apart:

…it’s important to keep in mind that the natural sugars in dried fruit are also more concentrated, which isn’t necessarily cause for concern for the general population and may even be helpful for athletes needing quick fuel.

But it can be an issue for those carefully watching their sugars, carbs or calories. For example, a cup of grapes has 23 grams of sugar and 104 calories, but a cup of raisins has 116 grams of sugar! And it has 520 calories — five times the amount!

Everyone knows you should be drinking your grapes anyway.

It’s about finding a balance, friends:

Overall, dried fruit can be a nutritious, convenient and portable snack, especially when mixed with nuts and eaten as trail mix. But if sugars, carbs or calories are of concern, be sure to count out your portion of dried fruit, as it can be easy to mindlessly nibble on it.

Also, limit dried fruits that contain added sugars (cranberries are a frequent culprit, according to Zanini) or are coated in sugar, such as dried pineapple rings or other candied fruit. Finally, if you are sensitive to sulfites [sic] or have asthma, choose organic brands of dried fruit that do not contain sulfur dioxide, a preservative.

And now you know.

Let’s finish with a lame-ass pun:

[source:cnn]