It’s long been touted by doctors and nutritionists alike that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The morning meal is intended to fuel the body until afternoon; though many people forgo breakfast due to time restraints, trying to conserve calories and various other reasons. But Traina Foods is here to share the many reasons why dried fruits are the perfect way to start off the day!

Filling up on Fiber — Dried fruits — particularly apricots, cranberries, dates and prunes — are loaded with fiber, which fills the body up and keeps it feeling fuller longer. Fiber is also great for keeping the digestive system working properly, aiding in digestion of other food eaten throughout the day.

Grab and Go — For those short on time in the morning and don’t have a chance to sit down to a meal, dried fruit offers the perfect “grab and go” portable solution. Whether mixed with nuts and seeds for a quick trail mix to snack on in the car during the commute to work or blended with fresh fruits, juice and ice for a delicious morning “sipper,” dried fruits are nature’s fast food… without all the negative impacts of the drive-thru!

Energy Aplenty — Dried fruits are filled with energy-boosting properties, so they are a great way to get a kick-start in the morning as an alternative to reaching for a cuppa Joe. Sprinkling some dried fruits on cereal, oatmeal or yogurt is a great way to get those energy-spiking nutrients while keeping the breakfast calorie content low.

A Match Made in… the Kitchen — Along with sprinkling dried fruits or using them in smoothies, dried fruit is a breakfast baked good’s best friend. Healthy muffins, scones, energy bites, granola are all made a bit better, a bit more nutritious and a bit naturally sweeter with the addition of dried fruit in place of refined sugar.   

Anytime of day is a great time to enjoy dried fruit. With easy recipes at www.trainafoods.com, home cooks and chefs alike can draw inspiration on how to incorporate dried fruit into meals — not just at breakfast, but lunch, dinner and anytime in between!