Fruit Basket - The Healthy Gift

Fruit basket is the most healthy gift you can send to your friends and loved ones. According to the nutritional guidelines adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture, 2-4 servings of fruits a day is needed to maintain good health. Fruits such as apples and oranges are low in calories and fat, and are a good source of natural sugars, fibers, vitamins, and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients such as flavonoids are plant chemicals that are thought to promote human health, Large population (epidemiological) studies have shown fruit and vegetable consumption decrease the risk of stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Fruits are not only healthy, they are delicious. Hence, fruits baskets are ideal for gifting purpose. Fruits taste naturally sweet because they contain fruit sugar called fructose. Sending a fruit basket to clients and friends for the holidays, their birthdays, or other gifting occasions shows you care about their health. Fruit baskets can be sent even to individuals with dietary restrictions, including those who are on low fat or low calorie diet. This article reviews the health benefits of popular fruits and the different types of fruit baskets available.

1. Apple Basket:
Apples contains vitamins A, C and E, and most of the B vitamins, especially folate. Apples are also rich in fiber, including the soluble fiber pectin; and phytonutrients that are strong antioxidants. Human epidemiologic studies have shown that apple consumption reduces the risk of cancer, especially lung cancer. Apple consumption also lowers the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and asthma.

The health benefits of eating apples and their good taste provide all the good reasons for you to consider sending an apple basket for any gifting occasion. You can send a basket filled with a dozen seasonal, sweet & crunchy apples - Galas, Braeburns, and Granny Smiths. These crisp and juicy apples will surely delight any apple fan.

2. Orange Gift:
Oranges are rich in vitami
C, a powerful antioxidant; and contain over 170 phytonutrients and 60 flavonoids. Many phytonutrients have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and blood clot inhibiting properties. Orange consumption has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Another citrus fruit, grapefruit, is rich in vitami
C and lycopene, which gives the red/pink hue of the grapefruit. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant which helps neutralize harmful free radicals that cause cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. Consumption of food rich in lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and many cancers. In addition, grapefruit helps to prevent or lessen the symptoms of arthritis because it contains salicyclic acid which helps to dissolve inorganic calcium buildup in the joints of the body. Grapefruit also helps in weight loss and lowers cholesterol.

Because pf the many health benefits offered by oranges and grapefruit, you should consider sending a basket of juicy sweet Sunkist oranges and tangy red grapefruit to your friends, clients, and family. Your recipients can start having their citrus supply when the basket arrives.

3. Fruits Basket:
Fruits basket that contain a combination of different fruits are also available. For example, You can send a basket of apples and Sunkist oranges; apples and pears, or a combination of all three. Your recipient can enjoy a variety of different kinds of fruits.

4. Fruit and Nut Basket:
Alternatively, you can send a box of fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, which may also reduce the risk of heart disease. The basket is filled with apples, oranges, and pears along with dried figs, dried plums, pistachios and cashews.

5. Fruit and Cheese Baskets:
For individuals who are truly cheese lovers, you can send a fruit and cheese basket containing both fruits and delicious snacks. The basket is filled with juicy Sunkist oranges, seasonal crisp apples, pears, Gouda cheese, summer salami, pepper water cracker, and chocolate truffles. The basket is delightfully accented with colorful candies, and has all the food you need for picnicking outside or snacking indoors. Your recipient would be thrilled to receive this thoughtful collection of premium fruit and gourmet treats.

6. Fruit and Treats Basket:
For individuals with sweet tooth, you can send a basket that contains fruits along with scrumptious gourmet treats. You will find crispy apples, juicy Sunkist oranges, chocolate cookies, baby bundt cake, fruit jelly candies, caffeine-free fruit tea, toffee-chocolate Graham crackers, and double chocolate walnut brownies.

7. Get Well Fruit Basket:
Fruits baskets are great get well gifts. For a friend or loved one who is ill, you can send a basket filled with fresh oranges, crisp apples, delectable chocolates and other tasty treats. One such basket is filled with Bosc pears, D'Anjou Pear, Juicy Sunkist Oranges, Seasonal Crisp apples, Get Well coffee, spicy mustard, crackers, jelly beans, Swiss cheese triangles, fruit candies, and double chocolate cookies. This basket of healthy and delicious treats will help to cure all ills.

In summary, fruit baskets are healthy gifts that can truly help the recipients to obtain good health. You can send a basket of apples or citrus fruits by themselves, or a fruits basket with a combination of different fruits, nuts or snacks. Your recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness.