When we typically think about dried fruits, we think about dates and raisins, and the role and use of dried fruits in salads, desserts, cookies and trail mixes. But what is dried fruit really all about? Is it as nutritious and healthy as its fresh variety? Well, this is rather a two-fold answer. Dried fruit is nutritious, it is packed full of the vitamins and nutrients that we seek from fresh fruit, however, it is also ridden with sugar. The sugar content of dried fruits is usually considerably higher than that of fresh fruit or frozen fruit.

So why it is that dried fruit is so much higher in sugar than other kinds of fruit? Well, the answer lies in the way that dried fruit exists. It is void of water after the drying out process and therefore loses the nutrient value of water that is in regular fruit, but is still left with the aftermath of the sugar content, or fructose that is in fresh fruit. It is important to understand that what constitutes a serving of one kind of fruit, does not equal out the same when comparing it to its dried version. For instance, a cup of fresh grapes have only 50 calories and a high water content while a cup of raisins weighs in at 495 calories with little to no water content.

This lack of water content also leads to not letting you feel as full as long from eating dried fruits than you feel full from eating fresh fruits. If you are looking to use dried foods in your weight loss plan, you may want to think again. Most people make the mistake of snacking on dried fruits too often, and because they do not feel as full from them, they will continue to eat them and take in way to many calories.

Also, the fiber content in dried fruits is less than in fresh fruits, and this can also lead to the inadequate feeling of fullness, and cause you to overeat at other times.

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