Note: This article contains information credited to British Apples & Pears as well as a recipe from @Mumazed via Instagram!

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Think health. Think running. Think exercise. Now think about the foods and the supplements related to health, running, and exercise. If you said powders and protein-packed meals, you wouldn’t be wrong. However, ‘health’ isn’t just about protein. Your body needs daily TLC and nourishment from all kinds of foods, including carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits. How to instantly-improve your gut health and soak up some well-needed vitamins? Pears! Yes, really.

An unlikely source of fiber (with just one providing over 20% of our daily fiber intake), pears are a tasty, easy way to fuel up and express gratitude to your gut. According to nutritionist Lily Soutter, pears contain “vital nutrients such as potassium, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K” making them perfect to chomp on before lacing up for a movement session.

Worried about Airmiles and the environmental impacts of consuming pears? Ali Capper, the Executive Chair of British Apples & Pears says “Britain has the perfect climate to grow delicious pears, which are readily available in supermarkets across the UK, all year round.”

British Apples & Pears was formed in 1990 to organise and develop the promotion of the British apple and pear industry. All-year, they tirelessly work around the clock to deliver and promote high-quality produce as well as safeguard the interests of British grower members. Whenever a class one British apple or pear is purchased, a small donation is made to the British Apples & Pears promotional fund.

The aim of the game is that by 2030, British Apples & Pears shall be supplying 60% of all the apples and pears consumed in the UK.

So, you’ve got the scoop and the knowledge that pears could be your next-new workout buddy – now what about a couple ways to serve?

Plain, simple, whole, and raw

Don’t mess with mother nature – eat your greens whole! Munch on it in one go but don’t peel it! Lily Soutter says “peeling the skin has been shown to result in a 25% loss of beneficial plant chemicals”.

Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash

Pear salad with walnuts and honey-mustard dressing

Two teaspoons of lemon juice, wholegrain mustard, and runny honey, added to a handful of baby spinach, two quartered British pears, a slug of olive oil with a healthy sprinkle of walnuts. Done; happy; full and fuelled. See you on the pavements!

Pear Tarte Tatin – Recipe by @Mumazed (Mama Iris)

Image Credit: @Mamazed via Instagram

If you like living on the sweeter side of life, go for a simple (yet effective) Pear Tarte Tatin. This easy, flavour-packed recipe comes credited from @Mumazed via Instagram and features:

Ingredients:

Five/six British in-season pears
50g granulated sugar
5g cinnamon
50g unsalted butter (to make vegan, simply swap out dairy butter for an alternative)
Ready-rolled puff pastry (who has time to make pastry nowadays?)

Method:

Push the boundaries of your puff pastry and neatly place it into a 25cm flan dish. Prick the pastry before melting over the butter.
Rub in the cinnamon and sugar mix into the butter. Peel the British Pears and cut lengthways. Place them on the pastry bottom, curvy-side down.
Cook at 220 degrees celsius for 25 minutes. Allow resting for 3 minutes before turning the tart. Enjoy!

So, whether you have a sweet tooth, like to swallow your pears fast-and-furiously, or prefer to take them with a salad at lunch-time; give the humble British pear a try. This fiber-rich food is sure to put a spring in your step!

Find more recipes, inspiration, information, and produce by visiting British Apples & Pears official website here!