Apricot

If there is such thing as a perfect food, it may be the apricot. Lightly sweet but not candylike, packed with fiber and nutrients, and the perfect accompaniment to something with carbs to fill out a snack, the apricot is at the top of the list when it comes to foods you should add to your diet.

Unfortunately, fresh apricots are fragile. They bruise easily, and they won’t survive the day stuffed in a briefcase for midafternoon consumption. You will just end up with apricot mush all over your important papers.

Luckily, there is an easier way to enjoy the many upsides to apricots. When you buy dried apricots, you get the same health benefits and nutrition as you would with fresh ones. Here’s a look at why dried apricots are such an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle.