1. Increased Energy

Fruit is a rich source of quality carbohydrates, which is one of the main benefits of eating fruit early in the day. Rich in fiber and slow-to-digest sugars, fruit primes your body for a day of work or play to keep you feeling great all day long. Apples, oranges, bananas, berries, and melons are all great choices and overall have a very low glycemic index.

2. Enhanced Digestion

Fruit is a very cleansing food so eating it early in the day is a great way to cleanse the body from old toxins that build up overnight. From the time you stop eating at night until the time you eat breakfast each morning, you body is naturally going through a cleansing cycle. Eating fruit early in the day can help enhance the cleansing process to improve your digestion and help you feel more energized as a result.

3. Enzyme Rich

Fruit is rich in enzymes, even more so than veggies (though that doesn’t mean you should forgo eating your vegetables.) Enzymes are crucial for multiple functions in the body and also a natural digestive aid. Enzymes also help your body absorb nutrients from the food you’re eating. Pair at least one piece of fruit with your morning meal to get in on the benefits.

4. Mood Booster

The brain runs off glucose and needs quality sources for you to feel your best. Fruit is a great source of natural glucose that can help you feel more upbeat. Their natural sugars and fibers are a great way to improve your focus, slow down your blood sugar, and increase your mental energy all in one.

5. Stress Reduction

Fruits are rich in Vitamin C and this nutrient isn’t just great for fight off colds - it’s also essential to fighting stress. Vitamin C also reduces inflammation caused from physical or mental stress. Having a piece of fruit for breakfast and lunch is a great way to combat stress during the most hectic hours of the day.

6. Hydrating

Fruit is packed with water which hydrates your body naturally. This is extremely important early on in the day since you’re naturally dehydrated when you wake up due to the fact you haven’t had anything to drink all night. Fruits especially high in water include melons, apples, oranges, kiwis, pineapple, grapes, and pears.

7. Combats Sugar Cravings

If you have a sweet tooth like myself, chances are you crave sweets around the clock. I’ve found that fruits are the perfect answer to treating a sweet tooth in a healthy way instead of reverting to processed foods. You’ll also start to crave more naturally sweet fruits and vegetables as a result of choosing them over processed snacks. This is great for your weight, your health, and especially for conquering unhealthy food habits. Craving a cookie? Have a sweet Fuji or Gala apple or a slightly ripe banana with berries instead.

For best results, keep hard to digest foods like meat and dairy off your plate when eating fruit or you may suffer gastrointestinal distress due to different digestion times of fruit and protein. Have fruit in your morning smoothie with some greens, on a salad at lunch, or perhaps with a smear of cashew butter or on top of some oatmeal instead. What are your favorite fruits to have first thing in the day?

Sources: well.blogs.nytimes.com, lhj.com, mindbodygreen.com, healthyeating.sfgate.com