We all grow up knowing that Fruit is an important food to include in our Diet because it is whole and Fresh and Healthy.

In AYURVEDA, how and when we eat Fruit is important to consider. Fruits should always be eaten on an empty stomach, or before a meal, because fruit goes through the digestive tract more quickly than other foods. When we eat fruit on an empty stomach it helps us to detoxify the body and supplies us with needed energy for weight loss and other activities.

However, when we eat Fruit after a meal, the fruit is prevented from digesting because it is being blocked by the other foods that are ahead of it in line. So the fruit juices come into contact with the other foods, turns into acid, and the whole meal starts to ferment and spoil. When Fruit mixes with other foods, it produces gas, so we feel bloated and burpy.

Ayurveda says that eating whole fruit is preferable to drinking fruit juice. If you want to drink fruit juice, choose fresh fruit juice, never juice from a can. Don’t drink juice that has been heated, as heating juice, or cooking fruit, takes away many of the nutrients. When drinking fruit juice, take sips to mix the juice with saliva for better digestion, don’t take big gulps.

This can be an easy way to know where you stand in term of portions consumed daily.

Small-sized fresh fruit


Two or more small-sized fruits would be equal to one portion. Some examples would include plums, kiwi fruit, six lychees, three apricots, 14 cherries or seven strawberries.


Medium-sized fresh fruit


One piece of fruit equals to one portion. Eg a banana, an apple, a pear or an orange.

 Large fresh fruit


This one goes for large fruits like melons, papaya, pineapple, etc. One portion would be half a grapefruit, one slice of fruits like melon, papaya, two slices of mango or one large slice of pineapple.


Dried fruits


One portion of dried fruit would be somewhere close to 30gms. You can consume one heaped tablespoon of currants or raisins, one tablespoon of mixed fruit, three prunes, two figs or a handful of dried banana chips. Always remember that most dried fruits are high in sugar and can therefore be bad for your teeth. You can try swapping dried fruit for fresh fruit, especially between meals. This way you minimise the possibility of tooth decay by consuming dried fruits as part of your meal..