Adding fruits and vegetables to any diet plan will have the pounds coming off in no time. There is simply no reason to ever feel hungry when the food you ingest holds only seventy calories a cup like the low calories in blueberries. Forget the word diet and simply enjoy.

Not everyone will enjoy the flavor of this fruit but those people are few. Even if you do not like them fresh, there are any number of ways they can be prepared that will allow you to indulge. Some will like the taste of the wine flavor that is more prominent in wild berries, while other enjoys the sweeter taste of the cultivated berry.

Today, most of them are cultivated in beds and can be found worldwide although they originated in North America. The cultivated berry is much larger than those that grow in the wild and its flavor is different without losing any of its succulence.

Some will make reference to it as the miracle fruit. It is high in nutrition; low in calories; and one food that you can eat without feeling guilty. Along with the low calories, this berry has no fat, cholesterol, or sodium. What it does have is protein and fiber. It is said to have more antioxidants than many other fruits and double the amount found in spinach. They can reverse aging and help the body get rid of stress, urinary tract infections, poor eyesight, and even cancer

The blueberry is a vine ripened fruit. Once plucked from the vine, it cannot ripen any longer, so knowing when to pick this fruit is most important. Plantings are staggered all over the North American continent in order to provide the area with berries that are always fresh anytime of the year. Many are sold frozen making them excellent for cooking, but nothing replaces the fresh fruit when it comes to nibbling on one of nature's finest choices.

Recipes using this berry abound. It is known for its coffee cakes, muffins, crisps, and pies. It can be used in just about anything that calls for fruit. It can be dried and added to things like trail mix. It's perfect when fresh on cereals, ice cream, or simply by the handful. It will keep up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

A delight to look at and eat, this little berry can raise havoc in one instance. It is a great stain maker and most often is permanent once the deep blue color has seeped into cloth. It will stain the skin taking weeks for it to wear off at times. If you have berries to clean, wear an apron and rubber gloves on your hands.

The low calories in blueberries make it the perfect diet food. It is a satisfying substitute that makes waiting for the next meal easy to do. Keep plenty on hand for the times that munchies hit. If by chance you purchased more than you can consume, simply place them in a container or bag and pop them in the freezer. No else is required. When a recipe call for blueberries, take out what you need, and keep the rest for the next time.