In praise of: Cherries
- Taste [rating:5]
- Health [rating:5]
- Environment [rating:5]
- Processed [rating:5]
- Portability [rating:5]
- [rating:overall]
Taste [rating:5] YUM. I usually like my “sweet” tastes to be paired with another dose of something — salty, mellow, warm, tangy… In this case, the balance of sweet and tart is usually just right.
Health [rating:5] Low cal, high fiber, plus nutrients. Awesome.
Environment [rating:5] Of course, if you can get organic and locally-grown ones, it’s best. But these need no packaging and they biodegrade.
Processed [rating:5] We’re talking about fresh cherries here, people.
Portability [rating:5] Super easy to pack in a lunch.
[rating:overall]
Is there any more perfect “diet food” than cherries? I don’t know where they’re coming from at this time of year (and the budding environmentalist in me will just have to wear a ball gag for the duration of that question…) but damn. Portable, hand-held, and delicious. They’re sweet and they have a satisfyingly-smooth pit in the middle of each one that’s just waiting to be sucked and toyed with and poked at with your tongue. Cherries will satisfy all of your oral-fixation needs, friend.
PLUS, they have tons of nutritional benefits.
One cup of cherries (a strange thing to measure with all of that negative space — maybe 10 or 15?) has:
- 77 calories
- 2.5 grams of fiber
- 40% of RDA for Vitamin A (1988 IU)
- 26% of RDA for Vitamin C (15.5 mg)
- and even a little bit of protein
But for me the best part is that it keeps your mouth and your hands occupied so well for so long.