Con: Concentrated Sugar
When fresh fruit is dehydrated to make dried fruit, the sugar content remains the same but becomes concentrated. This means that dried fruit contains a significantly higher amount of sugar compared to fresh fruit, when measured by weight. While a serving of fresh fruit is typically a half cup or one cup, a serving of dried fruit is usually a quarter cup or even less. It is important to note that consuming more than one serving of dried fruit can overload the digestive system with excessive sugar intake.
Con: Excess Sugar Content
When it comes to dried fruits, it’s important to be aware of the added sugar content. Certain varieties, such as pineapple and mango, undergo a candying process that involves the addition of sugar. Additionally, some naturally tart fruits like cranberries are often sweetened by manufacturers to enhance their taste. For instance, a quarter cup of sweetened dried cranberries contains a staggering 29 grams of sugar, whereas the same amount of unsweetened dried cranberries contains only three grams. To make informed decisions about your consumption, it is advisable to carefully examine nutrition labels to gauge the sugar content of different dried fruits.