Have you come down with a case of carb phobia? 

Is it accompanied by feeling sluggish and weak? 

Don’t fear the carbs! 

There’s no reason to neglect carbs, especially healthy ones like fruits and vegetables. 

Low-carb enthusiasts give fruit a lousy rep by dwelling on its high sugar content. But fruit is much more than its macronutrients. In addition to being high in fiber, different fruits contain a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals. 

Not all fruit is created equal, though. If you are carb conscious and want to make the most of each gram you consume, include these “super fruits” in your diet. Here are 7 of the healthiest fruits you should add to your diet. 

1. Oranges
Oranges are a delicious, healthy fruit that will make you think of warm, sunny days. They’re a great afternoon snack and have a high nutritional value.

Oranges are high in fiber. One standard navel orange contains 3.1g of dietary fiber. Oranges also rank high on the Satiety Index, a tool that measures how full a particular food makes a person feel.  These factors indicate that oranges are a great choice if you’re watching your weight. If a low-calorie orange is your afternoon snack, you’re less likely to find yourself snacking again out of hunger an hour later.

Oranges also have a well-deserved reputation for their immunity-boosting benefits. In addition to high Vitamin C levels, oranges are also high in folate, thiamin, and potassium.

2. Blueberries
Blueberries have been recognized as superfoods for a long time.  The popular summer berry is sweet and high in antioxidants. 

Like raspberries and blackberries, blueberries are low in calories and sugar but high in fiber. Help yourself to a cup for only 84 calories and 15g of sugar. 

Blueberries are best known for being antioxidant powerhouses. They have the highest antioxidant activity of any fruit.  Blueberries may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease as free radical scavengers while improving blood pressure and brain function.

It sounds like plenty of good reasons to add a handful of blueberries to your next smoothie! Frozen is your best bet if you’re craving blueberries in the winter.

3. Pomegranates
Pomegranates are blueberries' best rival for antioxidant superstar. While breaking into one can be a little intimidating, it’s worth the effort for the health benefits inside.

Just so you know, the edible part is the seeds inside, also known as arils. 1 cup of arils contains an impressive 7g of fiber. Due to the rise in popularity, many stores sell small containers of just the arils.

You’ll also notice more and more pomegranate juice on the shelves, but remember that juice lacks fiber and is higher in calories than the fruit itself.

Many studies are currently assessing the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranates. This means pomegranates may have many of the same benefits against heart disease and cancer as blueberries.

4. Avocados
Great news: avocados are super fruits! They are among the only fruits high in both fiber and healthy fats.  Many people don’t even know they’re fruit at all.

Avocados are high in Vitamin K, folate, and potassium. They have more potassium per serving than bananas.

But it’s the high-fat content that makes avocados shine. Avocados are high in oleic acid. That’s the same heart-healthy fatty acid found in olive oil.

5. Apples
You know the old saying about apples so I won’t bore you. But plenty of evidence supports that apples are truly great for your health.

Like oranges, apples rank high on the satiety index. This is why apples and peanut butter are such a perfect afternoon snack. The fat from the peanut butter paired with the fibrous apple keeps you feeling full even longer. One medium apple has 4g of fiber for only 95 calories.

For maximum health benefits, don’t peel your apples.  The skins are high in polyphenols which studies indicate have anti-inflammatory properties.  

6. Strawberries
Juicy, sweet strawberries feel like a decadent treat but are tiny superfoods. Strawberries are loaded with potassium, manganese, and Vitamin C. One serving of strawberries has more Vitamin C than an orange.

Strawberries are 91% water, making them a great low-calorie and low-carbohydrate treat. As a bonus, strawberries improve insulin response when consuming other carbs.  This suggests that having berries just before or with a meal might be a good idea.  

7. Pineapple
Although they’re lower in fiber than the other fruits on this list, pineapples uniquely improve gut health. Pineapples are rich in the plant compound bromelain. 

Bromelain extract (extracted from pineapple stems in higher concentrations) is included in many digestive enzyme supplements. Pineapple is easy to digest, and pineapple juice can even be used to tenderize meat due to its bromelain content.

A cup of pineapple provides over 100% of the recommended daily intake for Vitamin C. 

Pass the Fruit Bowl

If you’re not eating any (or all!) of these super fruits, now’s the time to add them to your diet.

Most can be added to healthy smoothies, top salads, or enjoyed alone as a snack.