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086 SEPTEMBER 2019
NUTRITION
MEN’S JOURNAL
MONG STONE FRUITS,
plums—both fresh and
dried—are often overlooked.
If you’re health-conscious,
don’t make that mistake.
For starters, the dark purple hue is
a giveaway that plums are loaded with
micronutrients. “They’re full of anti-
oxidants, vitamins, and minerals,” says
Carla Schuit, a registered dietitian at
Northwestern Medicine in Winf ield,
Illinois. Three plums, which total fewer
than 100 calories, contain 30 percent of
your day’s vitamin C needs and provide
vitamins A and K, which help with things
like immune function and blood clotting.
Plus, dried plums are great for bone
health. A review of research in the jour-
nal Nutrients shows that phenolics likely
deserve the credit; these compounds help
retain bone mineral density.
And let’s talk f iber. Plums contain an
insoluble form of it called inulin. The
body can’t absorb inulin, so it passes
through the gut. It regulates body weight,
cholesterol, and blood sugar. It’s also the
reason dried plums have a reputation for
helping those with backed-up bowels.
Plums’ high water content makes them
a portable post-workout snack. Since
some of the vitamins they contain are
fat-soluble, pair them with a healthy fat,
like Greek yogurt or nuts. And you can
slice, brush with olive oil, grill, then chop
and toss in a summer salad, or drizzle
with honey for a healthy dessert. As for
the dried kind, be mindful that just six
constitute a serving, and the calories rack
up. So save them for winter. The fresh
ones are so good right now. Q
Though elbows are thrown
at the farmers market over
fresh peaches and nectarines,
you’re plucking from the bin
of plums—an ideal fruit for
athletes. by A.C. SHILTON
Go Plum
Crazy
A
The Blueprint