Strawberries are a tasty fruit that can be just as delicious on their own as they are when baked in a pie or tart. In order to make an educated decision on whether or not strawberries are right for you, be sure to increase your knowledge about the fiber, calories, sugar and vitamin C content of this fruit.

Fiber Content of Strawberries

One of the most important nutritional components of strawberries is their high fiber content. Strawberries not only contain high amounts of fiber in the meat of the berry, but also within the seeds of the fruit. Fiber can help in the prevention of a number of chronic health conditions, and it's important in the treatment and prevention of constipation. High fiber fruits such as strawberries can help with constipation primarily due to the fact that they are very porous foods, and can store high amounts of water. This helps to increase the hydration of feces as it moves through the digestive tract, and decreases the rates of constipation. However, it is important to remember that the mechanisms by which fiber helps to prevent and treat constipation can sometimes be too much, and result in diarrhea. For best results, be sure to eat only moderate amounts of high fiber foods.

Calorie Content of Strawberries

Another important nutritional consideration to keep in mind when choosing strawberries is their calorie content. Like most fruits and vegetables, strawberries are typically very low in calories. This is primarily due to the fact that strawberries contain high amounts of carbohydrates, which per gram have only four calories. When compared to fat, which has nine calories per gram, or alcohol, which has seven calories per gram, it is easy to understand why strawberries are a relatively low calorie food.

Sugar Content of Strawberries

While strawberries may be low in calories, they are high in sugar. While foods that are high in sugar can have little impact on most people, those who suffer from diabetes or other similar conditions can have serious health consequences when they ingest high amounts of dietary sugars. High sugar intake can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can contribute to symptoms of lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. In severe cases, high blood sugar readings can even lead to coma and death.

Vitamin Content of Strawberries

Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C consumption is encouraged not only for the prevention of the common cold or flu, but can also help to improve your immune system against more serious health conditions. Remember that even though strawberries may be out of season during cold and flu season, you can still receive the benefits of this fruit from choosing the frozen varieties. Research has found that frozen strawberries contain just as many vitamins and minerals as the fresh alternatives.