R is for Raspberries

As we struggle with last days of winter, I thought it would be uplifting to look at summer fruits that we are lucky enough to be able to buy all year round. In particular, raspberries!

I have always enjoyed eating fresh fruit and I make sure I have a good supply of a variety of fruits in my fridge and fruit bowl. Raspberries are amongst my list of favourites. Their taste of subtle sweet and sour and the vibrant colour is what I love the most.

I am sure most of you know about the Glycaemic Index (GI) which is particularly important if you are diabetic or struggling with fluctuating blood sugar levels.

The Glycaemic Index is a system of ranking that measures the impact of carbohydrates on our blood sugar levels. The index gives a numerical value to food based on how quickly the carbohydrates in that food are digested and absorbed. The ranking ranges from 0 to 100. Diabetics are often unsure of which fruits they can eat because all fruit contains fructose and vary in their rating on the GI index.

  • Raspberries are a low GI food and scores only 25 on the GI index.
  • Approximately 100 grams of fresh raspberries contain only 53 Kcal.
  • Raspberries are rich in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and may protect against some cancers.
  • Raspberries also contain Protein, Vitamin E, K, B vitamins, plus Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Copper.
  • Raspberries are high in fibre.

Raspberries are a nutritious fruit so why not add them to your diet. Please let me know if you have been successful in growing raspberries. Homegrown, I am sure, would taste even better!

Like with joy and health 💚
Elizabeth Beetham

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