A healthy start to your day...especially if you are dieting!

You've probably seen these fruits at the grocery store, and never paid them any mind, but  pummelos are great for you and fill of fiber and nutrients to keep you feeling full longer and that means less snacking during the day!  They have a delicious taste that is sweet and can be used to cook with, or just to eat like any other citrus fruit.

What are Pummelos?
They are big citrus fruits that usually have a greenish looking rind, they look like a grapefruit on steroids, and one can weigh around 2 pounds- the largest of all citrus fruits.   And while they look like a grapefruit, their flavor is much sweeter and less acidic than grapefruits. They originally come from Asia, and they have been called Chinese grapefruits, although they are cultivated all over Asia, not just in China.  They have really thick rinds, that can tend to be super bitter, so most people don't eat them, but the inside has usually 11-18 wedges, making these a fruit that you will usually need to share!

Why are they so good for you?
Each pommel has about 30grams of fiber which is about 1/3 of the recommended daily amount of fiber, and as we all know fiber is hard to digest by the body (and usually completely indigestible), and that makes your body feel fuller for longer, which will make you less apt to snack during the day!  Also, like all citrus fruits, its chock full of Vitamin C and has well over 150% of your daily vitamin C needs.  Vitamin C is hugely helpful in building and repairing tissues in the body, and it helps to form protein in the body that builds ligaments, skin, blood vessels, etc. and it also is an antioxidant (fights free radicals and may help prevent cancer).  They have no fat, no cholesterol, and are very low calorie.

You can eat pummels like you would an orange or a grapefruit, use them for marinades (to make spicy/sweet dressings), or make preserves/marmalade.  They are a delicious fruit that have great benefits for your body, and if grapefruits are too intense for you, you should give pummelos a try and see if you like them, especially if you are watching your waistline around the holiday time, they are a great snack or breakfast!

Yours in Good Health
B