Fruit: good or bad?

Is fruit good or bad for you?

Yes, if it's fresh fruit, answers dental student Tom, and be careful with frozen, canned, preserved and dried varieties.

It's good for your heart adds a surgeon-scientist.

But only if you don't over do it says Dr. Ben Kim as eating too much fruit can lead to osteoporosis, wasting of muscle tissue, inability to maintain a healthy weight, chronic fatigue, skin problems, thinning hair, weakening nails, and excessive irritability.

And don't forget that when you eat your fruit is also important. Gabriello explains two main reasons that fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach, at least 3-4 hours after a meal and preferably before a meal.

That's all for now and enjoy your fresh fruit!

Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2012!

Healthy Meals to Kick Off 2012:

Super Healthy and Super Delicious Butternut squash! A -- 1 cup of cooked squash has 457% of the recommended daily allowance -- and is a good source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. And like most vegetables, it's fat-, cholesterol-, and sodium-free.

Vegan Mexican spiced butternut squash soup with beans and corn is very healthy and full of flavor. You can also try this 5-star Squash soup recipe or Butternut Squash Risotto with Mushrooms.

Asian Tuna Salad, a healthy salad with a spicy kick from sambal oelek. Serve on top of green salad or in sandwiches, or stuff it ina large tomato.

Here are more healthy Salad and Side dishes recipes

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Kale, & Dried Cranberries

Israeli Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Black Quinoa Salad with Mango, Avocado, & Tomatoes

Roasted Butternut Squash Orzo Salad

Black Bean, Avocado, & Mango Salad with Cilantro and Lime

Grilled Corn Salad

Strawberry Mango Jicama Salad

Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Agave and Fresh Rosemary

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Zucchini Fries

White Chili with Turkey and Cannellini Beans is an easy chili with plenty of healthy protein and flavor.

This spinach and tortellini soup is very easy to make.

Sautéed fish tacos are easy and quick to make for a weeknight meal.

A fast and easy black bean soup can be made with pantry ingredients.

Moroccan spiced chicken soup is made with the butternut squash, mushrooms, carrots, and chicken.

Chinese chicken and broccoli is also easy to make at home.

Spicy red lentil and tomato soup is great for a cold winter evening.

Winter minestrone is full of flafor and healthy vegetables.