Recently, when dining at some high-end restaurants, I've noticed they serve fruit before the meal instead of after. It turns out these restaurants consulted with professional nutritionists, who said that eating fruit on an empty stomach before a meal is best for the body, whereas eating fruit after a meal is harder to digest. So, the question is, when is the best time to eat fruit—before or after a meal?
Nutritionists suggest that the best time to eat fruit is actually before a meal or between meals, especially between lunch and dinner. Since there's a longer gap between lunch and dinner, blood sugar levels can drop. Eating fruit at this time helps to replenish blood sugar and restore energy. If you eat fruit after a meal, it's best to wait at least two hours to avoid a sharp spike in blood sugar levels.
High-sugar fruits should be eaten in moderation.
While fruits are beneficial for health, not all can be eaten in large quantities. Fruits that are high in fat or sugar, such as durian, coconut, grapes, watermelon, and mango, should be consumed in moderation. As for low-glycemic index fruits like apples, pears, oranges, and kiwis, which are low in sugar and high in fiber, you can enjoy them freely. However, people with a 'cold' body constitution should avoid 'cooling' fruits like watermelon and peaches, while those with a 'hot' body constitution should avoid 'heaty' fruits like durian, pineapple, and longan. Moreover, sweet and sour fruits should not be eaten together, as the acid in sour fruits can破坏 the beneficial enzymes in saliva that help break down fats. Eating them together can easily affect digestion and cause stomach discomfort.
When the weather is cold, some people like to warm oranges in hot water before eating them. Nutritionists say that while cooking fruit might destroy some vitamins C and minerals, other nutrients are retained, and its effects like moisturizing the body are still present, making it not much different from raw fruit.