Like seriously. How did we all grow up with chips and cookies and random “protein bars” that tasted like wet cardboard, while this little caramel-y miracle called a date just sat there — quiet, underrated, kinda wrinkly — waiting for someone to notice? I feel like dates are that one soft-spoken kid in school who turns out to be insanely cool and secretly a genius.

We all slept on them. And now that I’ve finally caught on (late but obsessed), I can’t stop wondering… why don’t we talk about them more? Like, are dates good for you? Um, yes. Too good. Suspiciously good.

So yeah, turns out they’re kind of a superfood (but like… not annoying about it)

I usually roll my eyes when something is called a superfood — like calm down, kale. But with dates, it just fits. Because they’re not trying to be trendy. They’ve been good for centuries. They’ve got fiber, natural sugar, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants (like real ones, not Instagram bio ones).

So when people say dates as a superfood, I actually believe it. They make me feel full without bloating. They’re sweet but not evil. And they’re perfect for those weird hours between lunch and dinner where you want something but not, like, a whole pizza.

Also? If you’re trying to gain weight (without hating your body)… dates help

Weird thing no one talks about — gaining weight in a healthy, intentional way is hard. Like harder than losing weight sometimes. I went through a phase where I wanted to stop looking like I was always cold and slightly translucent. And eating more dates actually helped.

Not in a “bulk up like a bodybuilder” kind of way, but they gave me good energy, decent calories, and didn’t make me feel gross. Dates for weight gain? Honestly underrated hack. Especially if you pair them with nut butter. Or stuff them with almonds. Or dip them in dark chocolate. (Do it.)

Iron deficiency? Say less.

I was told at some point (by my mom, obviously) that dates are iron-rich dry fruits and I was like yeah, sure, thanks, moving on. But then I got tested and — surprise! — low iron. So now I keep dates around like medicine, but the kind I actually want to take.

They’re not a miracle pill, but they’ve helped. Especially when I’m feeling low energy or PMS-y or just… generally lifeless. And unlike iron tablets, they don’t destroy your stomach. So yeah. Add that to the health benefits of dates column.

Want better skin? Better hair? Eat a damn date

I know this sounds like one of those influencer captions — glow from within — but hear me out. I started snacking on dates regularly (like 3-4 a day), and my skin started looking… less dead. More alive. No idea if that’s a coincidence but I’m not risking it.

Dates have B vitamins and antioxidants, which are apparently good for both skin and hair. And while I’m not claiming they’ll replace your entire 10-step routine, I will say that my hair stopped falling out in clumps, so… dates for skin and hair? Not a scam.

No prep, no peeling, no drama

This is a dumb reason but honestly — the convenience of dates? Unreal. You don’t have to wash or chop or peel or refrigerate. You just grab and go. They don’t leak. They don’t stink. They fit in your bag or pocket or weird desk drawer.

And unlike fruit that betrays you by rotting in 3 hours (looking at you, banana), dates are chill. They just sit there waiting, all sweet and soft and dependable.

Last thing — they taste way better than they should

Let’s just acknowledge that they taste like they’re bad for you. Like… they have this sticky, rich, almost toffee-like thing going on and somehow they’re not covered in sugar or made in a lab. I still don’t fully get how they’re real.

Every time I eat one, I’m like “this is dessert” — and then I remember they’re fruit?? Nature made this?? Wild.

TL;DR — we owe dates an apology

I don’t know why we ignored them. Maybe because they look weird. Maybe because no one marketed them like almonds or avocados. But now that I’ve seen the light, I will die on this hill: dates are the perfect snack.

They’re good for your body, your energy, your skin, your soul. They’re easy. Sweet. Non-messy. Good for weight gain and digestion. And the more I eat them, the more I want other people to get it too.

So yeah. Go eat a date. You’ll understand.