The 17 Healthiest Low-Sugar Fruits

Though we often think the best way to get vitamins and minerals is in pill form, in fact, nature is truly the best medicine. Case in point: fruit. An actual piece or cup of fruit is far better at providing the vitamins, fiber and antioxidants you need to stay healthy than those same things taken in supplement form. "The body is more likely to recognize recurring nutrients in whole foods compared to manufactured dietary supplements" says Roger Figueroa, assistant professor in social and behavioral science in nutrition at Cornell University's Division of Nutritional Sciences.

“Most adults really are exceeding the recommended limits for added sugars," says Dr. Figueroa. But despite the current obsession with low- or no-sugar diets he reminds us that, "sugars are not evil." In fact, "when consumed in their most natural forms," he says, “fruit has many benefits both for promoting health but also for reducing the likelihood of certain diseases.”

And yes, Dr. Figueroa says, tomatoes are indeed a fruit, and one of his favorites for their nutritional value, along with mangoes, passionfruit and figs.

One cup of sliced tomatoes has about 4 grams of sugar and contains a host of beneficial nutrients including vitamin C, beta carotene, lycopene and potassium as well as the fiber necessary for digestive health.

There are also benefits to whole fruits over fruit juice, says Figueroa. Compared to the fiber in whole fruit, "dietary fiber is lower in even 100% fruit juice," he says. So why is fiber so important?

"There is some evidence that dietary fiber can help reduce risk for chronic disease. So that is why you would want the fiber in the whole fruit you are consuming," Dr. Figueroa says. Eating whole fruits and vegetables has been associated by some studies with significantly reducing rates of cancer and heart disease, according to the International Journal of Epidemiology.

In addition, there are many helpful phytonutrients (healthy plant chemicals) combined in a piece of fruit, rather than simply vitamins C or E.

Loaded with vitamin C, strawberries are deceptively sweet-tasting for their 7 grams of sugar per cup.

Often given as a gift in Asia, crispy Asian pears taste like a cross between an apple and a pear. They also contain lots of water, fiber and about 9 sugar grams and are an excellent source of vitamins K, C and copper, and other vitamins and minerals that can help in building collagen and bolstering your immune system.