Given the choice, would you rather eat a handful of fresh grapes or raisins? You may be surprised to learn some of the differences between fresh and dried fruit.

With a look at Your Fitness, I'm Nancy Gay.

Produce departments are piled high this time of year with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries.

Given the choices, nutritionists say some people often opt for the dried variety.

Registered dietitian Dana Nahiri said, "It doesn't have to be washed, it doesn't have to be prepared, it doesn't have to be peeled, especially if you're talking about a child."

Dried fruit is portable and non-perishable, but can pack a lot more calories when compared with the same serving size of it's fresh fruit counterpart.

"Often times because of the water content associated with fresh produce, it can fill your stomach up more and you get less amount of calories for the amount of volume you're consuming," Nahiri said.

Fresh fruits are rich in vitamin A and C, folate, potassium and fiber.

Dried fruits do have health benefits, but the drying process can zap some nutrients.

Nonetheless, dietitians say fresh and dried fruits can play an important role in satisfying your sweet tooth, combating obesity and fulfilling the government recommendation of eating four servings of fruit a day.

That's a look at Your Fitness,

Nancy Gay, Central Florida News 13.