Ask the experts: Dried fruit

Q: "I am in weight-loss mode — I am making sensible food choices and exercising. I bought a food dehydrator in the weekend and I wonder if the composition of fresh fruit changes when fruit is dried (no additives). I like to nibble on dried fruit during the day."

Lorna

A: HFG senior nutritionist Rose Carr responds:

Dried fruit is nutritious but it can be a trap for people watching their weight. By removing the water, the kilojoules are concentrated into less weight so it is easier to eat more than you need as it’s not as filling. While two fresh apricots (about 100g) are around 200kJ, 100g dried apricots are more than 900kJ. Fresh fruit is a better choice.