If you're trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the first full week of the new year, you'll probably want to add more fruit to your diet.
For most of us, the go-to fruit choices are apples, bananas, grapes, and perhaps various berries, but there are many other fruits you may not know about that are worth considering.
Three registered dietitians shared tips on how to increase your fruit intake and why you should try these healthy fruits.
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These seven fruits contain amazing amounts of vitamins and minerals and are usually available in winter in most parts of the country, with some variation depending on location.
From left: kumquat, star fruit, pomegranate. These and other unusual and interesting fruits are highly nutritious and can be used in a variety of meals and dishes. (St. Petersburg)
1.Guava
A tropical fruit with a green or yellow-green exterior, guava pulp can range from white to bright pink or red, depending on the variety, says Sarah Heckler, M.S., nutritionist, Antilles Nutrition Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. he told Fox. News Digital.
“The fruit is generally round or pear-shaped and has a sweet aroma,” she says.
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“Guavas are edible when ripe and soft, and their taste ranges from sweet to mildly sour.”
Guavas have nutritional benefits, being rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A and E, and potassium, which Heckler says is important for health and fluid balance.
Guava can be sliced and eaten raw. It is also often juiced and used in drinks, smoothies, and cocktails. (St. Petersburg)
Leave the guava at room temperature until it reaches the desired ripeness.
“Once ripe, store them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life,” says Heckler.
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Guavas can be sliced and eaten raw, she said. It is also often juiced and used in drinks, smoothies, and cocktails.
Sliced guavas can be added to fruit salads, green salads, and yogurt to enrich their flavor.
2. Kiwi
Kiwi, also known as kiwifruit, is a small, brown, fuzzy fruit with bright green flesh, Heckler said.
“Inside, there are small edible black seeds distributed throughout the pulp, and the taste is a unique combination of sweet and sour, making the fruit refreshing and flavorful.”
This small fruit is extremely high in vitamin C and packs a lot of punch to promote immune system health, Heckler said.
The small kiwifruit is extremely rich in vitamin C, which promotes immune system health. (St. Petersburg)
“It also contains other nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamins K and E, and potassium,” Heckler told FOX News Digital. “Vitamin K supports blood clotting and bone health, and vitamin E is an antioxidant.”
Kiwi can be ripened at room temperature at home.
“Once ripe, store kiwis in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life,” she added.
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“This allows us to slow down the ripening process.”
Heckler also said this versatile fruit can be used in smoothies to boost both flavor and nutritional benefits.
Heckler said kiwifruit are available year-round in the U.S. because they are imported from many different regions.
3. Kumquat
This small, oval-shaped citrus fruit is different from other citrus fruits in that while the kumquat skin is sweet and edible, the flesh inside is sour, Heckler noted.
Among the exotic fruit's nutritional benefits are rich in vitamin C, fiber and essential oils, she said.
At home, to keep kumquats fresh, store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a short period of time.
Fresh orange kumquats are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and essential oils. (St. Petersburg)
This fruit selection can also be used as an on-the-go snack.
“For sweet and tangy flavors, consume the whole fruit, including the skin,” says Heckler.
Kumquats are also versatile for do-it-yourself cooks, as they can also be used to make delicious marmalade and sauces.
4. Persimmon
Persimmons are sweet fruits with a unique texture and appearance. Heckler says this delicious fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber.
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“Vitamin A and vitamin C contribute to skin health and boost the immune system,” she said.
Store persimmons at room temperature until they ripen, then store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for a long time. Exotic fruits can add a delicious addition to your cooking or fun routine.
Persimmons can be added to foods such as yogurt to enhance taste and nutritional benefits. (St. Petersburg)
“Enjoy it raw or add it to salads and desserts,” Heckler suggested.
Another idea is to add persimmons to foods such as yogurt to enhance their taste and nutritional benefits.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranates, often touted as a superfood, are a good source of vitamin C, fiber and folic acid, Jessica Cording told FOX News Digital. Cording is a nutritionist, health coach, and author based in New York and New Jersey.
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Fruits are also “rich in compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” Cording said.
Pomegranates have arils, the tiny seed shells that fill the inside of the fruit, that can be added to salads, she said. Mix it into yogurt, oatmeal, or cold cereal. Or used as a garnish for drinks.
Pomegranates are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and folic acid. “It's also rich in compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” the nutritionist told FOX News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
“You can also eat the aril directly from the fruit with a spoon,” says Cording.
Store pomegranates in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
Pomegranates are typically harvested in the fall, but can be found in stores throughout the winter, Heckler said.
6. Pomelo
Also known as the Chinese grapefruit, this unusual fruit may be the new fruit you're looking for at your grocery store.
This citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, Julie Lopez, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and owner of Virtual Teaching Kitchen, told FOX News Digital.
When choosing a pomelo, take your time and observe it carefully, she said.
Pomelo, also known as Chinese grapefruit, is rich in vitamin C. “It should be heavy for its size and free of soft spots and bruises,” the nutritionist said. (St. Petersburg)
“The pomelo should be heavy for its size and free of soft spots or blemishes,” Lopez says.
“Smell the skin. When ripe, it should have a faintly sweet smell.”
Ripe pomelo can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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This fruit can be juiced into a refreshing drink, similar to grapefruit, or added to salads and desserts.
7. Star Fruit
Sweet picks, also known as carambola, are a uniquely shaped tropical fruit that lives up to its name due to its five-pointed star-like shape.
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Heckler says it has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
Star fruit is a uniquely shaped tropical fruit that has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor and is a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. (St. Petersburg)
It is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
When purchasing, choose ones with firm flesh.
Slice and enjoy or use as a side dish.
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“Use sliced starfruit as a decorative and flavorful garnish in both sweet and savory dishes,” says Heckler.
She suggested storing starfruit at room temperature until ripe, then in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
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He noted that while starfruit may be available year-round in some southern states, it may be less common in colder regions.
