Recipes Using Medjool Dates - 100 Days of Real Food (2024)

FAQs

How many Medjool dates to eat per day? ›

“Medjool dates tend to be the most popular in the U.S.— you can enjoy two or three of these dates a day, since that's considered one serving,” says Blatner. “That gives you space in your day to enjoy other types of fruits as well.” And then you'll get even a greater variety of nutrients!

Dates are best stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container to help them retain moisture. They can be stored up to 6 months in the refrigerator, but may lose moisture the longer they sit. Large quantities of dates can also be frozen for up to one year.

All Natural Delights® Medjool dates are sustainably grown using state-of-the-art agricultural practices and are pesticide free, additive free, and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Dried fruits, which also include raisins, dried apricots, and prunes, contain more calories per serving than their fresh counterparts because they have less water ( 6 ). Most of the calories in Medjool dates come from their sugars ( 2 ).

Risks and considerations. Since medjool dates are high in fiber, they may be a useful food for weight management. However, medjool dates are high in calories, so consuming them beyond moderate amounts may lead to weight gain.

Making life a little sweeter is as easy as working Medjool dates into your diet every day. Eating a daily helping of nature's candies will add flair to your cooking, upgrade your health, and—of course—tantalize your taste buds.

If the inside is black or spotted, that means they are moldy and were likely stored improperly, either in transit or at home. If the outside is cracked and flaky and the inside is extremely dry (with stringy fibers), it's likely that your dates are past their expiration date.

Know that all kinds of dates, dry or ripe, whether packaged or open, are not washed before reaching the consumer. It is therefore advisable to wash it well before consuming any type of date but be careful that there is no need to peel the dates.

The major techniques to prevent and contain insect infestation are four: (i) fumigation (ii) heat treatment (iii) cold storage and (iv) irradiation, of which fumigation is by far the most applied technology.

Trader Joe's Organic Medjool Dates are organically grown in the Coachella Valley of Southern California—a region renowned for this fruit, long before music festivals were a thing. Our supplier selects only the best ones: large (about two inches long), with very soft and sweet, mildly fibrous flesh.

What are the brown dots inside dates? ›

If you notice any tiny brown specks, chances are there could be insects in the fruit, and you may want to cut it open to further inspect.

This yeast is naturally present in the soil where the dates are grown and can colonize the fruit during the growing process. As the Medjool dates dry, the yeast forms white spots on the surface of the fruit, which can give the appearance of crystallized sugar.

Medjool dates are also an excellent source of phytonutrients, plant compounds that may have health benefits. Studies show they can stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, prevent DNA damage, and improve hormone regulation.

Low Glycemic Index Value

Medjool dates are low on the glycemic index, which means that unlike most sugary treats, this natural source of sweetness won't cause your blood sugar levels to spike.

Eat four and you have 268 calories and 64 grams of sugar. That's nothing to bat an eye at. To put that in perspective, 100 grams of 60 percent dark chocolate has less sugar, around 37 grams, than 100 grams of medjool dates (about four dates), which contains 67 grams of sugar. There's good news for date lovers, though.

Dates are a low glycemic index food, making them a smart natural sweetener even for those with diabetes. Learn the other health benefits of the fruit.

A 30g portion of dried fruit, such as currants, dates, sultanas and figs, counts as 1 of your 5 A Day, but should be eaten at mealtimes, not as a between-meal snack, to reduce the impact on teeth.

Dates have no cholesterol and only a small amount of fat. So, if you want to snack on something healthy while also keeping your cholesterol in check, consider adding dates in your diet. Having five to six dates per day is enough for your health.

Dates have a very high sugar content relative to the rest of their nutritional value. People who are trying to manage their blood sugar, such as those with diabetes, should be mindful of their total sugar intake when consuming dates.