Many legends have been told about the beauty of the legendary Egyptian queen Cleopatra. In particular, there are many assumptions about the things she used to stay so thin. The following are some of the most realistic methods: milk baths, essential oil treatments, and a fig diet.
She loved the fruit of the fig tree so much that she would eat nothing but them for days on end. Centuries have passed and nutritionists still recommend eating figs to anyone who is overweight. What’s so special about them?
General Information
Figs (fig, fig tree, wine berry) are the fruit of the deciduous subtropical tree of the same name. They have a tart, slightly sweet taste. They are considered to be a healthy, fortified food and are actively used in healthy diets. When it comes to losing weight, fresh figs are recommended.
Calorie content:
- dried figs — 249 kcal: when losing weight, eat in minimal quantities so as not to exceed the daily calorie intake;
- fresh — 74 kcal: is a dietary product that can be consumed during diets.
The glycemic index is low — this is a good indicator for weight loss:
- dried — 40 units;
- fresh — 35 units.
Nutritional value of fresh figs (per 100 g):
Nutritional value of dried figs (per 100 g):
Chemical composition (per 100 g):
Fresh figs are significantly lower in calories than dried figs. This is why nutritionists extol them and advise including them in the diet when losing weight. However, dried fruits contain more useful trace elements. Therefore, if you understand your limits and do not overeat, you can eat them occasionally while on a diet.
Benefits
Since ancient times, fresh figs have been used in traditional medicine. By consuming them while losing weight, you can experience not only their dietary properties, but also their overall health benefits:
- have anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, and antipyretic effects;
- are used in the treatment of anemia, tachycardia, bronchial asthma, hypertension, constipation, thrombosis, depression;
- stimulate intestinal peristalsis;
- prevent vitamin deficiency;
- calm the nervous system;
- restore strength, increase performance;
- improve brain function;
- well satisfy thirst;
- reduce vascular spasms and thin the blood.
Wine berries are beneficial for men’s health, as they help restore potency in erectile dysfunction and reduce the risk of heart attacks. When fresh, it is safe to eat them on a diet, as it promotes weight loss. With regular use, processes are triggered in the body that contribute to weight loss:
- due to increased perspiration, harmful substances and excess fluid are eliminated from the body;
- the gastrointestinal tract normalizes, food is better digested and absorbed by the body, and is not deposited as fat reserves;
- the diet is easier to tolerate, as the body is supplied with nutrients;
- hunger attacks are dulled;
- compulsive overeating is excluded as a cause of breakdowns and weight gain, as the state of the nervous system normalizes;
- increased performance leads to calorie expenditure.
Figs also have beneficial properties for women: they make the menstrual cycle easier by quickly replenishing the iron deficiency that is diagnosed during these days. This allows them to continue light physical activity and stay in motion (i.e., continue to burn calories).
Dried fruits are used as a diuretic — they effectively remove excess fluid from the body, relieving puffiness and extra pounds.
Harm
Figs are exotic fruits of a tropical tree, so they should be consumed with caution, otherwise weight loss will be disrupted. Firstly, dried fruit is contraindicated in obesity (due to its high calorie content). Secondly, it can worsen the state of health in the presence of the following diseases:
- carbohydrate metabolism disorders;
- gout;
- stones in the bladder and kidneys;
- ulcer, gastritis;
- pancreatitis;
- propensity to diarrhea;
- individual intolerance;
- insomnia;
- diabetes.
If you ignore contraindications or increase your daily intake, side effects will not be long in coming. They include stopping weight loss and gaining weight, as well as stomach upset, diarrhea, and sleep disturbances.
How to Choose
To get the maximum benefit from fresh figs, they must be of good quality. Given the fact that they do not tolerate transportation well, you need to be able to choose the fruits correctly in the store or at the market. They should be:
- moderately soft, elastic;
- fragrant and emit a strong sweetish smell;
- not dented;
- free of mold.
Hue and size do not affect quality. Figs can be green, brown, yellow, or dark purple; large or small.
The criteria for choosing dry fruits will be somewhat different:
- color — light brown, beige, or matte yellow;
- white coating is acceptable — this is glucose that has come out;
- shape — slightly flattened;
- size — approximately the same;
- odor — absent;
- elastic: not too soft, but not overdried;
- without a beautiful glossy sheen, which indicates smoking on sulfur dioxide.
Having decided to eat figs while on a diet, it is necessary to provide them with appropriate storage conditions. Spoiled figs can cause serious intestinal upset. This will force you to interrupt the weight loss process for treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to eat fresh figs within 3 days of purchase. Protect dried fruits from moisture and sunlight.
How to Use
Here is how nutritionists recommend eating figs when losing weight:
- Eat fresh figs whole with the skin if it is soft. If it is tough — scoop out the pulp with a spoon.
- Rinse dried figs thoroughly and even soak them in warm water for several hours.
- To prevent overeating, eat 1 fruit half an hour before each meal.
- The approximate daily intake is 50 g dried (≈ 3 fruits) or 150 g fresh (≈ 5 fruits).
- Combine with products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, whipped cream, sour cream, cheese, honey, nuts, vegetables, fish, and jerky.
Despite all the benefits and dietary properties, it is better not to eat the fruits of the fig tree every day. They thin the blood and can upset the bowels. Fresh figs are recommended to be consumed every other day,
