I was a rebel growing up; I’d go to the left when my mom said to go right. But I’d always listen to her when she told me to finish my veggie and fruits. Now I thank her for the effort for turning me into a healthy and knowledgeable person when choosing my foods. Fruits are essential to our daily diet; vitamins, minerals, and fibers…you name it, they have it. For those of you who is looking for alternatives for brownies and cakes as desserts or snacks, here are six fruits that I eat on any given day (yes, I do eat up to six types of fruits everyday) to replenish myself after rigorous training, fight hunger, and boost my immune system. By the way, these fruits are all year around and cheap…your body will be lean and thin while your wallet stays fat.

Eating apples can prevent lung and colon cancer, memory loss from aging, and cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. Although the old wisdom, “an apple a day, keeps doctor away” stays true, but researches have recommended eating two to three apples a day to get the most benefit and nutrients.

Consuming bananas can prevent high blood pressure, coronary heart diseases, ulcer, regulate heart function and fluid balance, and help build stronger bones. Especially for the ones who exercises like a maniac, a banana helps you keep your brain function by providing electrolytes lost from sweating profusely.

Oranges help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, have anti-inflammatory properties, increase immune system, and destroy free radicals from damaging DNA and causing cancer. A cup of freshly squeezed O.J. does the trick too.

Pears are full of vitamin C that can help us get rid of free radicals, promote cardiovascular and colon health, and prevent vision deterioration because of its high content of vitamin A as well.

Ever wonder why French cuisine is made with a lot of butter, but French people have less heart disease cases comparing to Americans? Well, grapes are known for their heart disease prevention because of its resveratrol, a type of flavonoids, that keep the heart muscles soft for blood circulation. Therefore, researches have suggested that drinking a glass of red wine, the darker red the better, like French people can promote healthy heart function. But don’t go on dipping everything in butter and slamming several glasses of red wine down now…everything in moderation please.

Cantaloupe is one of the best fruit choices because of its high content of vitamin A to maintain or improve vision and vitamin C to fight germs and diseases. Plus, a bite into the soft and melting texture will keep you happy and guilt-free.

Ok, fruits are great for you. But I am not asking you to eat a whole basket of them everyday. Fruits generally have high sugar content, which can make you fat if you don’t burn enough calories each day from exercising to compensate the amount you eat. I am also not asking you to run on the treadmill until drop-dead so you can get your vitamin dose. All I am trying to convey here is that don’t skip your fruit platter just because of laziness. Fruits are great for everyone if consumed in moderation.