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A nutritionist has shared how you can satisfy your sugar cravings by eating one fruit that is packed with health benefits. We all know the importance of ensuring we get plenty of vitamins

and minerals into our bodies for our health, but it can be hard to resist a sweet treat in between healthy meals. However, it doesn't have to be as boring as eating an apple. Trying new

fruits can be a good way to keep you interested and feed that sugar craving, all while ditching processed sugars. In recent years, dates have become significantly more popular, particularly

in the western world. They are also known as a 'blessed fruit' in Islamic and Jewish traditions, thanks to their amazing benefits. If you have not tried dates before, they are a

sweet, caramel-like tasting fruit with notes of brown sugar and honey. They are chewy and sticky in texture. While fans of dates often eat them on their own, newbies to the fruit often try

them with different toppings - with plenty of date recipes becoming popular on social media. Often people cut the fruit in half and putting a dollop of peanut butter inside. Another fun

option is putting a cube of cheese inside and warming the treats up in the oven. Another common combination is dates with goats cheese inside. A food nutrition expert and owner of Ayus

Wellness, Zib Atkins, has shared what happens to our bodies when we consume dates, as he insists it is a "must have" in your diet. In an advice video her shared on Instagram

recently, Zib noted that dates are a fantastic energy boost. The nutritionist, who has degrees in molecule bioscience and human bioscience, plus a diploma in clinical nutrition, explained:

"Dates are paced with natural sugars giving you a quick and sustained energy boost, perfect for starting your day" Mr Atkins also insists that dates are rich in fibre. He notes:

"Dates are an excellent source of fibre, promoting healthy digestion, preventing constipation and keeping your gut happy." Brits are being encourage to include more fibre in their

diet as bowel cancer rates rise. The disease has become the fourth most prevalent form of cancer in the UK, with cases in under-50s soaring by 50% in 30 years, according to The Royal

Marsden. While a diet heavy with processed and red meats, not getting enough exercise and sedentary habits can all affect the risk of bowel cancer, lack of fibre is also one of the biggest

risks. >  As well as keeping your gut happy, dates also help with keeping your heart health in check, states Mr Atkins, thanks to their high potassium and magnesium levels. The

nutritionist explained: "Dates help regulate blood pressure, supporting a healthy heart and circulation." He also notes: "Dates are rich in calcium and phosphorus - essential

minerals for maintaining strong bones and preventing bone-related issues." Dates are also great for boosting immunity, thanks to being packed with antioxidants. Mr Atikins added:

"Dates strengthen your immune system, helping to protect against common illnesses and they are a natural sweet alternative to processed sugar, satisfying your sweet cravings without the

crash." Tesco are selling a 250g bag of dates for £2.50 - that works out at 1p per date - or a 500g bag for £3.40. Sainsbury's are selling organic dates for £2.50, and Morrisons

are selling dates with no stones for £2.75. _Would you eat these? Comment below._