Vibrant colors, flavorful juices, and pleasantly crisp skin: what’s not to love about fruit?

Add to that its health benefits, and you have a virtually perfect food group. That said, not everything you think you know about it may be true—here are three common misconceptions that can steer you wrong.

Sweetness distinguishes fruits from vegetables

Fruits are technically any part of a flowering plant that contains seeds, such as an orange or strawberry, and so they tend to be sweet in order to entice animals to eat them and spread their seeds. However, there are several notable exceptions to this, including lemons and pumpkins.

Admittedly, this myth holds more water from a culinary standpoint, which separates plant foods by their flavor and whether they’re more commonly used in savory or sweet dishes. From this angle, foods like avocados, jalapeños, and tomatoes are often considered vegetables. (Fun fact: The US Supreme Court made an official ruling in 1893 that legally established tomatoes as vegetables rather than fruits. But if you ask a scientist, a tomato is unquestionably the latter.)

Fruits have too much sugar

If you follow a strict diet, certain fruits—such as succulent blackberries and juicy watermelon—can sometimes seem indulgently sweet. However, these sugars do not have the same effect on your body as the added ones in desserts and snacks. That’s because fruits’ fiber-packed plant cells break down more slowly during digestion, triggering more gradual sugar absorption and a relatively moderate spike in blood sugar. And as sweet as fruits may taste, they still contain far less sugar than pastries, candies, and other processed foods.

All fruits are good for you

Even with the above in mind, certain individuals may need to monitor their fruit consumption. After all, selections like kiwi and mango are top allergens, while those at risk of type 2 diabetes or living with fructose intolerance should avoid higher-sugar options like pineapples and raisins. For assurance based on your individual health needs, ask your doctor to recommend any fruits that you should increase, decrease, or omit entirely from your food intake.

If you’re looking to support your ongoing well-being, consuming more fruit is one of the best moves you can make. According to the USDA’s dietary guidelines, a healthy diet is based on a generous quantity of produce, so be sure to pack at least two cups of these enjoyable eats into each day for the most fruitful benefits.