Now that you know how-to chop a pineapple. Here are a few reasons why you should buy, chop and eat a fresh delicious yellow pineapple!
Pineapple: Super Food. Super Fruit! Pineapples are incredibly healthy. Besides being rich in nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, manganese and copper. Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain aids in the digestion of protein. Not to be confused with the papaya-enzyme papain, which also aids in digestion.
Bromelain is so powerful at breaking down the amino acid protein chains, that it is commonly used as a meat tenderizer.
Click ahead for the complete nutrition facts about a serving of fresh pineapple....Stick to fresh. Note that these facts do not apply to canned pineapple. Do a simple taste test and it is obvious that much of the zesty, sweet-tart-tasting bromelain has been lost and much of the vitamin C has oxidized. It is similar to the orange juice rule. Fresh is always best!
Super Food: Pineapple
per 1 cup serving, fresh cut pineapple
Calories: 82
Fat: 0 g
Carbs: 22 g
Protein: 1g
fiber: 2g
Vitamin C: 131% RDA
Vitamin A: 2% RDA
Vitamin B6: 9% RDA
Folate: 7% RDA
Copper: 9% RDA
Manganese: 76% RDA
Potassium: 5% RDA
Magnesium: 5% RDA
Enzymes: Bromelain-rich
Pineapples are a great fruit to eat in between meals to improve digestion. You can also eat a few chunks of fresh pineapple first thing in the morning as a digestive aid. I suggest eating pineapple on a low to empty stomach to get the most bromelain induced effects.
You can buy enzymes like bromelain and papain in pill form, but whole fruit sources are always best!
Pineapple is also delicious grilled. You can even stick chunks on a skewer for a grilled or raw pineapple kabob!
Pineapples vary in cost throughout the year.
For Hawaiian pineapples, the peak season generally comes in April and May.
Kathy says
Pamela, I have heard this as well. But upon doing research I did find this statement:
"A can of Del Monte's Pineapple Chunks contains nothing but pineapple chunks and pineapple juice. "
So you may want to look into buying Del Monte canned pineapple..if you can't get the fresh stuff...which is always the best option. 🙂
~Kathy
Pamela says
I read somewhere that canned pineapple has sulfites in it, whereas fresh does not. Do you know anything about this? And would all packaged pineapple have it? I'm thinking of the packs by Chiquita that are individual servings of it. I don't want to serve those to my son if they do. My mother always ate canned pineapple (often with mayo on bread for a sandwich) when I was a child, but I just could not eat it. I thought I just didn't like pineapple. Later, I realized I could eat it as long as it was fresh.
asata (a.k.a. Life Chef) says
pineapple is also considered an anti-inflammatory food and pairs well with another natural anti-inflammatory food: ginger! Yum!
Anonymous says
Once, I ate SO much fresh pineapple, the enzymes burned my taste buds. It was similar to burning your mouth on hot food, except it stung!
Warning to the sensitive: Fresh pineapple in moderation!
I know it's hard to stop, it's so good. 😛