Tip of the Day:

These Foods Aren't Too Sweet to Eat

Q: I'm trying to lose weight. Is it true that I should avoid eating lots of fruits and vegetables because they're high in sugar?

A: There are many misconceptions regarding foods — and this is a common one. To give you some background: Sugars, starches, and fiber are all members of the nutrient category called carbohydrates and are your body's main source of fuel. All carbohydrates (fruit, vegetables, breads, and dairy products) contain some natural sugar. For example, fruits and vegetables contain fructose and glucose, milk contains lactose, and grains contain chains of glucose linked together.

Because the sugar in fruits and vegetables occurs naturally and is combined with many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other disease-fighting compounds, the pros of including these foods in your diet definitely outweigh the cons. Even with their sugar content, fruits and vegetables aren't likely to prevent weight loss — in fact, they can have the opposite effect. These foods are nutrient dense, which means they're low in calories but high in the good stuff. They're also rich in fiber, so they help you stay full longer. Since weight loss requires that you take in fewer calories than you expend, fruits and vegetables are ideal in helping you stay satisfied while sticking to a weight-loss plan.

To sum it up, fruit and vegetables should play an important part of any healthy plan — weight loss or otherwise.