Fruit Wars: Fresh vs. Dried

For convenient snacks between rehearsals, dried cranberries or dried mango slices hit the spot. What dancer has time to chop a mango? But dried foods come with warnings. If sulfur dioxide is listed on package labels, look out. High sulphite intake can cause headaches, stomach irritation, and aggravate asthma. Drying processes zap some nutrients, including thiamin (vit. B1), essential for carbohydrate metabolism and neural functions (you can blame forgotten choreography on dried fruit!). The calorie factor? One-quarter cup of raisins has 130 calories and 29 grams of sugar; the equivalent serving of grapes has only 60 calories and 15 grams of sugar. Though dried fruits are not all bad – they provide fiber, certain vitamins, and sweet tooth satisfaction – eat in moderation.

-Jen Thompson