DATES FOR YOUR HEALTH

Variety of dates at Rumeithiya Cooperative Society (Rumeithiya Jamaiya)

A variety of dates at Rumeithya Co-op (Rumeithya Jamaiya)

Dates are not only delicious to eat but they are full of essential vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals like iron, niacin, copper and magnesium. Dates promote healthy growth of hair and improves the immune system.  In Kuwait, so many varieties of dates are available in all the supermarkets and cooperative societies (Jamaiya). They are low in saturated fat and sodium, high in dietary fibre and no cholesterol. Do bear in mind they are high in calories due to its natural sugar content so when you have dates, be sure to eat in moderation. Do you know dates can uplift one’s moods!

Five dates would roughly equal to 120 calories.  

Calorie content per 100g/3.5oz would be 282 calories

What a beautiful sight of the date fruits hanging from the tree!

Date farming

A bit of history…Its believed to be originated in the deserts of Africa and Middle East. Date fruit is thought to be one of the first fruits to be cultivated and grown by man that dates back to the stone ages, as evident in the discovery of remnants of dates found in archaeological excavations.

If they are immersed in the sticky date syrup and coated with sesame seeds, or the naturally highly sweet variety like the Sukari dates, the calories would be much higher. I love these two varieties of dates and I can only have 2 or 3 in day along with 4 cashew nuts or almonds. The combination of dates and cashew nuts is heavenly. Those trying to lose weight, please don’t have too many.