Photo: Jeff Youngstrom / Flickr

Fruit is an essential part of a balanced diet and is a healthy alternative to fatty snacks like chips and sweets. Fruit can be dull and unexciting and is not particularly tempting when hungry or peckish, though. Liven fruit up by preparing it in some different ways and get your children and yourself eating more fruit every day. Choose your favourite fruits or go for something you wouldn’t normally eat and think out of the box.

Drink it

Get the goodness out of your fruit by drinking it. Create some smoothies or shakes with your favourite fruits – just avoid adding ice-cream to the mixture. Make some simple popsicles with fruit chunks and juice or you could also try and squeeze your own orange, lemon or lime juice and use the left over rinds to add some zest to your dinner or lunchtime meal.

Make it fun

Fruit that is prepared in a fun way makes it enticing for children and adults alike. Fruit kebabs make for a great desert or can even be lightly grilled and served as a starter with a honey sauce. An interesting fruit bouquet not only adds decoration to a table but provides something for people to snack on during a function. Frozen cherries, strawberries and raspberries also make for delicious snacks on hot summer days. Cut fruit into slivers or cubes and dip it in chocolate for an indulgent treat.

Incorporate it into your lifestyle

Fruit can easily be incorporated into your everyday lifestyle. Add some banana slices or strawberries to your morning muesli or incorporate fruit pieces into jellies. Change those bowls of chip and dip to a mixture of dried fruits and nuts instead. If you’re an avid gardener, plant some fruit trees and get the whole family involved in caring for them.

Tags: eating healthily, fruit, smoothies