Top ten low-carb fruits for your Memorial Day picnic

The lowdown on low-carb fruits. Photo by mj savage.

There are about 100 fruits from around the world -- including 38 exotic fruits with fun names like mangosteen, prickly pear and jackfruit. With more and more of these imported fruits becoming available at your local grocery and health food stores, it's never been a better time to familiarize yourself with every juicy one. But if you're watching your carbs, you might want to take your pick from this Top Ten list of some of the lowest-sugar, highest anti-oxidant fruits coming into season now -- and throughout the summer. 
                     Photo by Savannah Grandfather.

 TOP TEN PICKS FOR LOW-CARB FRUITS*                                                                                        (# of carbs per 50-gram portion=1/2 c. chopped or 1/3 of a medium-size peach)

1. Watermelon 4g of carbs. Chopped into chilled chunks or wedges, this summer favorite is a great way to hydrate on a hot day.
2. Strawberries 4g of carbs. Dipped in dark chocolate or sliced over wild greens for a burst of sweet satisfaction.
3. Cantaloupes 4g of carbs. Called the muskmelon, but there's nothing musky about this succulent source of Vitamin A & C.
4. Avocado 4g of carbs. It's not just for guacomolé anymore. Cube or fan slices over salads and sandwiches.
5. Honeydew Melons 5g of carbs. Melon balls anyone? Add these mouthwatering morsels to your "Honey Do" list.
6. Peaches 5g of carbs. Perks up everything from Bellinis to barbecue sauce.
7. Blackberries 5g of carbs. One of the "super foods," packed with powerful anti-oxidants and vitamins.
8. Grapefruit 5g of carbs. Most citrus fruits are quite high in sugar, but the glorious grapefruit is not so dig in.
9. Papaya 5g of carbs. Toss these creamy cubes into salsa for a taste of the tropics.
10. Raspberries 6g of carbs. These juicy jewels add fiber-filled flavor to salads and sauces.

Photo by babybee.

EAT YOUR COLORS

Recipes that mix colorful fruits with grilled meats and vegetables give your picnic palate-pleasing appeal. Here's a delicious and nutritious salad recipe that's sure to make your Memorial Day even more memorable:

2-1/2 cup sliced strawberries or raspberries
1 cup cheddar/jack cheese, grated
½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped and toasted
1 bag of wild greens, washed and torn
Toss with strawberry or raspberry/balsamic vinaigrette

*Top Ten list compiled by comparing the following sources:

The 25 Lowest-Carb Fruits and Vegetables

Fruit Carb Charts - Atkins - Low Carb

Low-Carb/Low-Sugar Fruits: A list of the best and the worst fruit for low-carb dieters