Is it possible to eat apricots when losing weight and how to use them in diets

Tasty and aromatic berries and fruits contain many vitamins, but not all gifts of nature are suitable for consumption by those who are trying to lose weight. We will tell you in this article whether it is allowed to eat apricots while losing weight.

Is it possible to eat apricots while losing weight?

Apricots are very nutritious with a relatively low calorie content, so they are great for diets and fasting days. Fruits are very healthy, increase vitality and improve mood.

The apricot diet is based not only on reducing calorie intake, but also on the laxative properties of these fruits, as well as improving metabolism. If you combine these fruits with low-fat fermented milk products, the metabolic effect is further enhanced.

Is it possible to gain weight from apricots?

The fruits suppress appetite, prevent fatty liver degeneration, support intestinal microflora, and slow down the absorption of carbohydrates. But despite all the benefits for weight loss, apricots can cause weight gain.

These fruits contain large amounts of sugars, including fructose. It does not increase the calorie content of the product, but contributes to excess weight gain. Therefore, during a diet, apricots are eaten in limited quantities.

Composition and beneficial properties

Apricots are rich in vitamins B, C, PP and A. The fruits contain organic acids and pectin.

Among the beneficial properties of apricots, the following are usually distinguished:

1. Liver cleansing.
2. Improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Prevention of heart problems.
4. Protection against chronic inflammation.
5. Help the eyesight.
6. Increased protective functions of the body.
7. Maintaining water-salt balance.
8. Improved skin condition.

Calorie content and BZHU

100 g of product contains on average about 70 kcal. Energy value varies depending on varieties and the degree of ripeness of the fruit.

Also, 100 g of apricots contain:

• carbohydrates – 11.12 g;
• proteins – 1.4 g;
• fats – 0.39 g.

Is it possible to eat at night

Apricots can be eaten in the evening, but no later than 2 hours before bedtime. In this case, they will not cause any harm to digestion.

Some people additionally drink 1 tbsp. low-fat kefir. It helps you feel better and restore intestinal microflora.

On an empty stomach

Experts do not recommend eating apricots on an empty stomach, especially in large quantities. Fruits increase stomach acidity. With gastritis or peptic ulcers, this can lead to exacerbation.

Features of selection and storage for weight loss

Apricots are brought to markets throughout the summer. To choose good and high-quality fruits, it is important to pay attention to their appearance. Ripe fruits have a delicate and thin peel, have an orange or bright yellow color, and do not deform when pressed. The aroma should not contain any foreign impurities of rot, alcohol or grass.

Reference. Some varieties of apricots do not have fluff on the skin. But this does not mean that the fruit is bad.

Rather than buying overripe apricots, it is better to buy unripe ones. The former will bring virtually no benefit to the body, since they have already lost most of the vitamins. If unripe fruits are purchased, they are wrapped in paper and left at room temperature. In 1-2 days they will ripen and will be sweet and tasty.

In the refrigerator, the fruits remain fresh for several days, and at room temperature - 1-2 days.

How to eat fruit correctly when fighting excess weight

You should not eat exclusively apricots on an empty stomach. This fruit stimulates the production of gastric juice, which greatly irritates the mucous membrane.

For the diet to be effective, it is important to follow these rules:

1. Wash the fruit thoroughly before eating.
2. If the menu includes fish or meat dishes, you should not eat apricots at the same time. There should be 2-3 hours between meals. It is permissible to combine these fruits only with chicken.
3. Choose high-quality and ripe fruits. This way the diet will be as effective as possible.
4. If dried apricots are used for weight loss, they are first washed and soaked in cold water for half an hour.
5. Apricots are not only eaten fresh. They are used to make fruit salads, juices, pumpkin purees, and baked. There are many recipes, so food during weight loss will not be monotonous.
6. During the diet, all dishes are prepared without sugar and salt. They are replaced with herbal spices or herbs.

Canned fruits are not suitable for use during the diet. If you want to lose excess weight in the autumn, it is better to choose dried apricots for this.

Daily consumption rates

Apricots do not make you fat if you eat 4-6 pieces. per day depending on the size of the fetus. On average, various diets require about 300 g of fruit. If you eat more, you will be more likely to experience diarrhea.

Recipes with apricots for losing weight

There are many recipes for a variety of dishes using apricots. Below are the most delicious and dietary options that will diversify your diet while losing weight.

Banana and apricot omelette

Fruit omelet is a hearty alternative to your usual breakfast.

For preparation you will need the following ingredients:

• eggs – 2 pcs.;
• apricots – 5 pcs.;
• banana – 1 pc.;
• rice flour – 65 g;
• whole grain flour – 50 g;
• milk with a fat content of no more than 1.5% - 50 ml;
• low-fat cottage cheese – 100 g;
• olive oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
• sweetener - to taste.

Cooking process:

1. Apricots are washed thoroughly, pits are removed and chopped into large pieces.
2. The banana is peeled and cut into circles. Mix with apricots and add sweetener.
3. The yolks are separated from the whites.
4. Beat the whites with a mixer until stable peaks appear.
5. The yolks are mixed with milk, flour and cottage cheese. Stir until the consistency of thick sour cream is obtained.
6. Whipped egg whites are added to the resulting dough. Mix carefully from bottom to top with a spoon.
7. The frying pan is greased with olive oil and heated.
8. Spread out 1/2 of the dough and place half of the fruit on it. Fry for about 2 minutes.
9. Carefully turn over and cook for another 2 minutes.
10. The rest of the dough is prepared in the same way. Makes 2 servings.

Apricot cheesecake

To prepare diet cheesecake you need the following ingredients:

• eggs – 2 pcs.;
• apricots – 500 g;
• oatmeal – 1.5 tbsp;
• “Greek” yogurt – 150 g;
• cottage cheese 1.8% – 250 g;
• gelatin 20 g;
• sweetener for the crust and base - to taste.

Instead of oatmeal, some housewives use oatmeal, first grinding it in a blender or using a coffee grinder.

Cooking method:

1. Pour oatmeal into a plate, beat eggs into it and add a sweetener. Everything is mixed.
2. The resulting dough is placed in a baking dish and placed in the oven for 15 minutes at 180°C. After cooking, cool the cake.
3. The gelatin is poured with warm water for 15 minutes to allow it to swell.
4. The cottage cheese is rubbed through a sieve and yogurt is added to it. The resulting mass is whipped with a mixer and sweetened with a sweetener.
5. The swollen gelatin is sent to the microwave to completely dissolve. Stir every 10 seconds.
6. Apricots are cut into large pieces and sprinkled with sweetener.
7. Fruits are poured with 1 tbsp. water and send it to the fire. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
8. Gelatin is divided in half. The first part is mixed with fruit syrup, and the second is added to the curd mixture.
9. First spread the curd mixture onto the cooled cake, and then the apricot mixture on top.
10. Cover the finished cheesecake with cling film and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours.

Chicken with apricots

To prepare the dish you will need:

• apricots – 6 pcs.;
• chicken drumsticks – 6 pcs.;
• chicken broth – 200 ml;
• garlic – 4 cloves;
• almonds – 50 g;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• chili pepper, ground cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, dried ginger - 1 tsp each.

Cooking process:

1. Chicken drumsticks are fried in a frying pan without using oil. To prevent the meat from burning, add a little water.
2. In a second frying pan, fry the almonds for 10 minutes. After this, put it on a plate.
3. The onion is cut into half rings, the garlic is chopped. Fry in a dry frying pan.
4. Spices are mixed in a separate plate and added to the onions and garlic. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. After this, lay out the chicken drumsticks.
5. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 20 minutes over low heat.
6. Apricots are divided into 2 halves and added to the chicken. Cook for another 20 minutes.
7. A few minutes before readiness, add the roasted almonds.

Diets with apricots

If you want to try the apricot diet, it is better to start with the 3-day version.During this time, you will be able to understand whether this method of losing weight is suitable. During the 3-day diet, you are allowed to eat whole grain bread, cheese, vegetables, eggs, fish, fruits, and veal. Drinks include only water, green or herbal tea.

Menu for a 3-day diet:

1. Breakfast – a slice of whole grain bread, 1 tbsp. apricots, green tea.
2. Snack – boiled egg and 1 tbsp. apricot juice.
3. Lunch – vegetable soup and 1 tbsp. apricots or a piece of stewed fish and 1.5 tbsp. fruit.
4. Afternoon snack – fruit salad.
5. Dinner – vegetable salad, 2 tbsp. l. low-fat cottage cheese and 1 tbsp. fruit.

This is a simple and short diet. The menu is varied, making it easy to follow.

There is also a 5-day diet. Its diet is more balanced and varied. You are allowed to eat beef, vegetables, bread, chicken, fruits, dairy products, milk, greens, mushrooms, berries, brown rice. A serving of apricots is 300 g.

5-day diet menu:

1. Breakfast – brown rice and apricots or yogurt and fruit.
2. Snack – 1 tbsp. milk, or 1 boiled egg, or green tea and whole grain toast.
3. Lunch – vegetable soup, or 100 g chicken fillet, or 100 g beef, or mushroom soup. A portion of apricots is added to any of the dishes.
4. Afternoon snack – a portion of apricots.
5. Dinner – apricots and baked or stewed vegetables.

The next diet is for 7 days. You are allowed to adhere to it only if you feel well.

Diet menu:

1. Breakfast – 1 tbsp. green tea and 7 apricot puree or oatmeal with fruit.
2. Snack – 300 g of apricots.
3. Lunch – vegetable stew, chicken and apricot juice or vegetable soup and 1 tbsp. apricots
4. Afternoon snack – 1 tbsp. milk and 200 g apricots.
5. Dinner – stewed vegetables and tea.

It is best to choose the 5-day option, as it has more variety in terms of dishes. In this case, it will be easier to lose weight.

Fasting day on apricots

Before the fasting day, it is recommended to eat light food and skip dinner. In the morning, prepare 250 g of fresh apricots and eat them in small portions throughout the day. If the feeling of hunger is very overwhelming, you can drink 1 tbsp. low-fat kefir. On a fasting day, it is important to drink a lot of water.

Reviews of those losing weight

You can get fat from eating apricots or not, say women who have tried this diet.

Veronica, Vologda: “I tried the 7-day apricot diet on myself. This week I lost weight, but only 5 kg. I want more, so I’ll try it a second time soon.”

Marina, Moscow: “I love apricot juice, so this diet turned out to be quite simple for me. In 1 day I lost 2 kg at once. So now I want to try the 5-day menu.”

This is interesting:

How to plant an apricot from a seed at home

How to grow apricots from seeds at home and in the country

How much and how often to water apricots in summer: detailed instructions

Conclusion

The apricot diet is considered gentle on the body, because it is balanced and does not greatly limit the diet. It really helps you lose weight. But it is important not to eat more apricots than recommended, otherwise you may gain weight.