Eat Pretty Food: Dragon Fruit

To be honest with you, this was the first time I had ever tried dragon fruit. I’ve learned about it and have always seen it at the store but have never attempted to make anything with it. I’m glad I finally decided to try it!

Pitaya, or as well all know it, dragon fruit is an exotic fruit that can be purchased at most supermarkets. It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, healthy fat and fiber.  According to an article on Heal With Food, dragon fruit can be used as a natural remedy for constipation. Dragon fruit seeds, in particular, appear to have strong laxative properties and can therefore be highly effective at stimulating bowel movement. One of the nutrients that contributes to the laxative properties of the dragon fruit is fiber. A 100-gram portion of dragon fruit delivers 3 grams of fiber, which is equivalent to 12% of the daily reference value for fiber.

Dragon fruit is also great for those of you watching your weight. It’s low in calories and very filling. One small dragon fruit (weighing 198 grams) has only 60 calories. With only 0.3 calories per gram, the dragon fruit has a very low energy density, which means it has very few calories compared to its serving size. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says filling your diet with more low-energy-dense foods can help you lose weight and make it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight.

And for all my pregnant little mammas, dragon fruit is ideal for you!

Dragon fruit contains very important nutrients for you and baby including vitamin C, carbohydrates, fiber and fat. During your pregnancy, adequate vitamin C from your diet is important to support the gum, teeth and bone development of your baby. According to the Dietary Reference Intake, your diet should include at least 70 milligrams of vitamin C per day. A-100 gram, or approximately 3.6 ounce dragon fruit, contains 4 to 25 milligrams of vitamin C. Mix it with berries or citrus fruits for a high vitamin C snack. I suggest throwing some strawberries in your smoothie bowl for optimal vitamin C!

Not only is fat a source of energy during pregnancy for you and your baby, it is also needed as your baby’s brain forms. In a serving of dragon fruit, there is approximately 0.1 to 0.6 grams of fat, most of which is monounsaturated fat. Eating this type of fat — instead of saturated fat or trans-fatty acids — supports healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

And how cute is this new little bowl from Atlantas newest furniture boutique- Dixon and Rye? It’s perfect for all your pretty smoothie bowls! Make sure you check out this beautiful boutique that opened last week in the Westside.

1 pack Pitaya pulp

1/2 cup almond milk

1/2 frozen fruit

Toppings:

Granola

Coconut Chips

Strawberries

Mix Pitaya pulp, almond milk and frozen fruit together. Add desired toppings. Enjoy!

Xo,