Making positive dietary changes will help you live a healthier lifestyle—instead of processed, sugary fare, eat an array of fresh fruits. For example, pineapple will satisfy your sweet tooth and is also a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants. To incorporate more of this tart, low-calorie fruit into your meals, here's a guide to selecting, cutting, and preparing it.

How to Pick a Pineapple

Find a pineapple at the peak of ripeness to ensure the best taste. Over-ripe fruit loses its flavor and won't have a noticeable aroma near the stem. Under-ripe fruit tastes bitter and produces an alcohol smell since it's fermenting.

Take a whiff of each option; a ripe pineapple will have a sweet scent. Give each a squeeze too. When the body is firm but gives a little, it means the flesh inside is ripe. The fruit should be heavy; this means the water content is high, which makes the flesh succulent.

How to Cut It

Use a sizable chef's knife to take off the crown. To let the juices flow through the body, rest the fruit upside down on a plate for 30 minutes.

Next, remove the end, turn the pineapple on its flat bottom, and slice off the skin in sections. Cut the flesh in half lengthwise, then chop them into smaller lengthwise sections and discard the core in the middle. You can cut the slices widthwise to make large chunks.

How to Serve & Cook It

Ripe pineapple has a sweetness reminiscent of an apple paired with the sugary overtones of hard candy. For a refreshing pick-me-up, put chunks in a blender with mango, orange slices, and milk to make a smoothie.

The tart undertones give the fruit a citrus flavor akin to orange zest. This profile pairs with the flavors of basil, cilantro, and lime, so blend these ingredients to create a pineapple salsa.

The fruit also highlights the subtle sweetness in pork, so serve it with a few slices of grilled fruit. The smokiness will balance the saltiness of ham steaks.

If you're craving this popular fruit, turn to Dole/Tropical Fruits Distributors of Hawaii in Honolulu. This distributor is known for its low-acid, fresh pineapple, which gets its distinct sweetness from the volcanic soil where it's grown. Browse the selection online, or call (808) 847-3234 to place an order.