Berry Berry Good or Berry Berry Bad

FEED IN more berries
Berries are more than just fresh, sweet and juicy?

Berries - Sweet, fresh and juicy

Berries have been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, following the Hepatitis A outbreak caused by imported product grown in China. This has reinforced the message to eat fruit that is home-grown in Australia and to understand that the Food Industry use misleading labeling to entice us to buy their product. By buying fruit that is a 'Product of Australia' you are helping our local economy and ensuring a higher level of food standards.

Who would have thought that something that is 'Made in Australia' can actually be grown in China and merely packaged in Australia? It's plainly not berry good, pardon the 'pun'net of strawberries grown in China.

I love berries, and there is a whole range of brilliant varieties that can provide you with a wealth of minerals and nutrients: Strawberries, blueberries, loganberries, gooseberries, raspberries, bilberries... Berries are a great source of dietary fibre and are loaded with Vitamin C which support our immune system and provide for strong connective tissue.

Ensure you include some purple-coloured berries: Blueberries and blackberries are very rich in antioxidants and can help to prevent cancer and heart disease. Rasberries are also a great choice. Antioxidants help neutralise harmful by-products called "free radicals" that can lead to age-related diseases.

Have you tried these berries? Add them to your next shopping list!
• Goji Berries - A Superfruit with antioxidants (aka Wolfberry)
• Acai Berries - pronounced “ah-sigh-ee” Acai is known as an energy booster
• Bilberries - Associated with improvement of eye-sight and improved night vision

My Tip: Ensure that your berries are listed as a 'Product of Australia.' This will ensure that the berries are grown here under Australian Food Standards. Beware that 'Made in Australia' on the packaging can mean that they are actually a 'Product of China' but merely packaged here in Australia.

I like to mix some berries into some muesli, yoghurt or a fruit smoothie to increase the nutritional value.

Freeze your fresh berries in a snap lock bag to to avoid spoilage.

Try a palm-full of berries today for a delicious, healthy snack!

Brett Smith, Wellness Coach (Mind Body & Soul Fitness Studio).