Strawberries are the Superfruit Missing from Your Daily Diet

The California Strawberry Commission (CSC) today announced the results of a consumer survey exploring what, how and why Americans choose the fruit they eat for their day-to-day nutrition. According to the survey, most Americans have misconceptions about strawberries that may cause them to miss out on the benefits of strawberries in their daily diet. When asked for their preference between five common fruits (oranges, apples, bananas, grapes and strawberries), more than a third (36 percent) of respondents chose strawberries as their favorite. However, when asked which they consume the most, only 12 percent of respondents indicated strawberries as their most consumed fruit.

Probing further, the CSC survey uncovered that misnomers about certain fruits may be steering people away from strawberries as a daily go-to fruit.

 
 
 

Strawberries are one of the healthiest foods to eat

"When it comes to fruit, Americans tend to follow a routine," says registered dietitian Mitzi Dulan. "Grab a banana when on the run, reach for an orange when sick and have an apple a day to keep the doctor away. All fruits are healthy snack choices, but greater variety is important to get a bigger nutrition boost any time of the day. Strawberries are packed with essential vitamins, dietary fiber, potassium, antioxidants and are a great option to change things up with a favorite fruit."

Myth Busting Strawberries

Part of making healthier decisions starts with debunking misconceptions. The survey indicates that respondents believe other fruit (apples, oranges, bananas and grapes) are better sources of nutrients like vitamin C and fiber and more beneficial overall for weight management and prevention of some chronic diseases. 

• Belief: Strawberries have more sugar than other fruits. Only, 18 percent of respondents believed strawberries to be the lowest sugar fruit when compared to apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.
• Fact: Strawberries have the lowest amount of sugar (7 grams) per one-cup serving compared to these other popular fruits.

With only 45 calories per serving, they are an excellent choice for diabetes-friendly meal plans. In fact, the American Diabetes Association identifies berries, including strawberries, as one of the top ten superfoods for a diabetes meal plan because they are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fiber.1

• Belief: Oranges have more vitamin C per serving than strawberries. Eighty-six percent of respondents thought oranges had the most Vitamin C per serving.
• Fact: A one-cup serving of strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body from oxidative stress.

For Your Kids

The survey also revealed that we aren't just neglecting this favorite superfruit for ourselves. The majority of respondents indicated they are most likely to pack fruit other than strawberries in school lunches – only nine percent indicated strawberries as their preferred lunchbox option. The vitamin C, folate, fiber, potassium and associated benefits make strawberries a great choice for keeping kids healthy. Get tips for simple lunchbox recipes here.

For Everyday

So why don't people eat strawberries more often? The survey indicates that most people maintain the belief that strawberries are a dessert-only treat. When respondents were asked when they are most likely to eat strawberries, the majority (37 percent) said "as a dessert," whereas only 14 percent said "as part of a meal." As few as three percent said that they're most likely to grab strawberries while on the move versus other fruits.

Registered dietitian Mitzi Dulan notes, "We're saving strawberries for dessert, but we're not taking advantage of the year-round availability of California strawberries and all the great health benefits they offer during the rest of the day. Strawberries are incredibly versatile and can be cooked, frozen, and blended for use in all kinds of dishes from breakfast through dinner."

Here are some helpful hints for ways to add a serving of California strawberries to your diet:

A strawberry can act like a tomato.Consider a Caprese salad made with fresh mozzarella and strawberries. Transform a grilled cheese-and-tomato sandwich into a panino with strawberries and a savory cheese like Provolone.

Strawberries are salad friendly.Add sliced strawberries to your favorite leafy greens. To create fresh twists on classic dressings, use puréed strawberries to stand in for some or all of the vinegar. They'll add tangy sweetness, body and aromatic appeal.

Strawberries pair perfectly with proteins.Top grilled chicken or fish with a fresh fruit salsa.

Frozen strawberries can be super ice cubes.Add frozen strawberries, instead of ice, directly to blender drinks.