5 Reasons You Need California Prunes In Your Daily Diet
We’re big fans of California Prunes, and you should be, too! Here’s why.
The case for California Prunes
They’re a harbinger of healthy aging, sidekick for athletic training, energy boost for workday burnout, and secret weapon for bloating, indigestion, and – shh! – constipation. California Prunes are the feel-good, taste-good, go-to ingredient that can (and should!) work their way into any meal. The wonders of what just one serving per day can do for you are well worth exploring.
California Prunes can boost bone health
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to be proactive about your bone health. Did you know bone mass and development peaks before most people turn 30? Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density 5-7 years after menopause and, in their lifetimes, 1 in 3 women will break a bone due to osteoporosis, as a disease that affects 2 million Canadians. It’s never too late – or early – to think about bone health, and California Prunes can help. In addition to keeping active throughout our lives, a 2017 study recently proved that eating just 5 to 6 California Prunes per day can help slow bone loss and protect bone density. So, start snacking on California Prunes early to enjoy a life of adventures with strong bones.
California Prunes are good for gut health, too
Gut health. It’s that complex ecosystem of “good” bacteria (a.k.a. flora and microflora) that’s linked not only to effective digestion and regularity, but also contributes to brain and heart health, mood, sleep and a stronger immune system. Providing a huge dose of fibre (both soluble and insoluble), sorbitol and phenols (which both turn into fermented bacteria that softens stools and prevents constipation), one serving of California Prunes per day can play a key role in the overall health of your gut microbiome.
They’re Mother Nature’s candy
Think of California Prunes as guilt-free sweets. No added sugar, no cholesterol, no sodium, no fat – just pure flavour. They’re super-sweet, but they can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Their natural polyphenols are antioxidant-rich and help protect DNA from damage, decrease inflammation, and can help prevent cancer. Additionally, California Prunes boast a host of other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron (all of which are linked to bone health!). California Prunes are more than a sweet snack, they’re your partner in healthy aging. And here’s an added bonus: They clock in at only 100 cals per serving!
Athletes love prunes
Canadian athletes and California Prunes: it’s a match made in healthy heaven. Indeed, as ambassadors for California Prunes, some of Canada’s top athletes are showing how California Prunes have become an important part of their athletic routine. Sprint canoer Anna Roy-Cyr eats them almost every day as a post-workout energy boost. Track-and-fielder Crystal Emmanuel relies on prunes to keep her going during those 4- to 5-hour training sessions. And XC mountain biker Haley Smith uses prunes as an essential part of her everyday routine: “Adding a few chopped California Prunes to my oats in the final few minutes of cooking makes them irresistibly sweet and creamy,” she says. Visit the Team Up Hub on californiaprunes.ca to hear more from Canadian athletic ambassadors, including their training advice and favourite recipes with California Prunes.
They’re tasty in any (and every!) meal
Breakfast? Use them in breakfast cakes, smoothies and beyond. And speaking of smoothies, try out the Select-a-Smoothie Slide Guide from California Prunes to get creative with your smoothies! Lunch and dinner? Try vegan shepherd’s pie, veggie burgers, chicken salad, Moroccan soup and more. Appetizers? They’re divine with Camembert. Dessert? Think pecan and prune tarts and the fudgiest brownies on the block. Adding depth of flavour – and a host of health benefits! – to any dish, California Prunes can power you through the day, from the first bite to the last. Visit californiaprunes.ca for these recipes and many more! And, of course, don’t forget you can conveniently savour them solo – right out of the bag! How’s that for versatility?
