That fiber also makes pears super filling. Think of your digestive system as a long tunnel that goes through your body. Nothing really gets into your body until it’s absorbed from your GI tract into your bloodstream. Well, we can’t digest fiber, which means it never gets absorbed into the blood where it has to be either be either burned off or stored as fat. Fiber just keeps on traveling, through that long and winding tunnel where it does a number of healthful things:
- Fiber slows the digestion and absorption of the natural sugars and complex carbs in fruit, which keeps you feeling fuller longer and helps regulate your blood sugar level.
- It helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the GI tract into the blood to slash the risk of heart disease.
- It exercises the GI muscles to keep them strong and healthy and helps you stay “regular.”
- It binds to cancer causing substances in your digestive system so they can be swept out of your body.
There are hundreds of varieties of pears grown throughout the world, but in the U.S., the fantastic four include Bartlett (red and yellow), Anjou, Comice, and Bosc. I recommend mixing it up and for the most antioxidant bang per bite eat them when they’re fully ripe. A recent Austrian study found that as pears fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels rise.
A few of my favorite quick fix pear recipes from my new book S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches include the Pear Ginger Almond Pancake and Chocolate Pear Ginger Smoothie but here’s another simple recipe I created:
Mock Pear Cobbler
Wash and chop pear (skin on) into small pieces (discard core). Place in a glass container, toss with 1 Tbsp lemon juice and set aside. Combine 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup with 1 Tbsp water and a dash of cinnamon or apple pie spices. Pour water mixture over sliced fruit, cover with wax paper and microwave on high for about 4 minutes. Top with 2 Tbsp finely chopped pecans or sliced almonds or toasted whole oats.
Before I go, a few fun facts: Placing a pear in a paper bag will help it ripen faster; one medium pear provides 10% of your daily vitamin C needs; one quick way to tell that any type of produce is organic is to check the code – if it’s a 5 digit number that starts with a 9 it’s organic.
