How many times have you eaten a banana and then immediately tossed the peel, either in the trash or into your compost pile? What about your orange peels or your avocado pits? Well, contrary to popular belief, these fruit leftovers can be used in a bunch of useful ways.

When I read about the many ways you can use orange peels, I started to wonder if the same idea could apply to other fruits. As you'll see below, the same concept does apply. Take a look at some popular fruits that are full of nutritional goodies and the many ways you can be sure to use the entire fruit
Oranges

One orange provides nearly 100% of the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin C. They also provide good fiber, vitamin A, B vitamins, amino acids, beta-carotene, potassium, folic acid, and much more. Oranges have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and blood clot inhibiting properties. They are also full of antioxidants, making oranges one of the most recommended fruits for maintaining optimal health.

Orange Peels

Don't throw those peels away once you've gotten your fill of citrusy goodness. Try some of these uses…
•Add to meat dishes to enhance the flavor. Put peels in braising liquid or into the cavity of a whole chicken before roasting
•Dry and save for black tea.
•Add orange peels to aging olive oil to add an extra zest that's great on salads and pastas.
•Set some orange peels around areas where ants are a problem. Works as a great ant repellent. Helpful while on a picnics or camping.
•Deodorize garbage cans by dropping a couple of orange peels in the bottom of the can before inserting the trash bag.
Pineapple

Apart from being loaded with vitamins and minerals, pineapples have a lot of other health benefits. They are full of manganese, which helps to strengthen bones. One cup a day of pineapple in any form provides 73% of the daily recommended amount of this stuff. Pineapple is also great for treating coughs or colds. While the extra vitamin C doesn't hurt, pineapples contain bromelain, which has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.

Pineapple peel foot scrub
Pineapples are rich in bromelain, which is often used to tenderise meat. Little surprise, then that they are great at softening the tough skin on our feet. Something to keep in mind next time you're giving yourself an at-home pedicure.
To make a pineapple air freshener, collect the scraps from one or several pineapples and place them in a plastic bag. Leave the bag on the dashboard, or another place exposed to plenty of sun during the day. After a couple of weeks, the pineapple pieces will shrink and dry out, and your car will smell like a fruit cocktail.

1.Bananas

Bananas, of course, are full of potassium, which is good for your heart, nerves, kidneys and bones. Bananas are also known to have a calming effect on the brain and help to create a stable mood. They are also full of vitamin B6, which helps your body make hemoglobin, a crucial ingredient of your blood. One banana a day can also provide you with 16% of the daily recommended fiber intake. The best part about bananas? They are extremely affordable at about 35-40 cents per pound (US average).

Banana Peels

The insides of banana peels are full of antioxidants and potassium, and therefore, surprisingly, can have healing powers when it comes to many facial problems. Here are some ways that suggests you use banana peels for skin care:
oRub inside of banana peel on psoriasis-affected areas of skin. Skin might be red at first, but you should notice a difference within a few days.
oRub inside of banana peel over your acne at night for improved skin.
oRub on poison ivy to stop itching and subdue inflammation. Reapply as necessary.

2.Grapefruit

This fruit is a great helper when it comes to weight loss. While low in sodium and high in fat burning enzymes, grapefruit can also help increase metabolism. They are also rich in lycopene, which helps prevent the occurrence of tumors and cancer. Grapefruit is a great fruit to eat before eating other foods, as it can aid in the proper digestion of food.

Grapefruit Peels

There are lots of uses you can put grapefruit peels to. The peels contain pectin, which can help keep cholesterol in check. Here are some ideas from eHow for using the outer part of grapefruits

Many creative things can be done with grapefruit peel. You can use the zest on salads or in cooking; it can even be dried and added to loose-leaf tea mixtures. It is also possible to infuse olive oil with the essence of grapefruit or to make marmalade with it. A grapefruit half, cleaned of the pulp and pith, also offers a stylish way to present a fruit salad; it can serve as the bowl. If you simply want to dispose of the peel in a beneficial way, add it to your compost pile.
1.    Lemons (and Limes)

These citrus fruits are full of vitamin C and full of flavor. They contain flavonoid compounds, antioxidants and anti-cancer properties. The uses for these fruits are endless in the food and drink department.  

Lemon Peels

Try some of these tips
o Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets by rubbing lemon rind over the chrome. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
o Throw leftover lemon peels down the garbage disposal to deodorize and keep it smelling fresh.
o Use peels to clean counter tops and sink stains and your kitchen will have a lemony-fresh scent.
o Remove tea stains on tablecloths by sprinkling the stain with salt and rubbing the lemon peel across the surface.

Avocado

These fruits are full of the "good fat" that is not harmful to you and doesn't increase your cholesterol. Avocados can lower cholesterol in the blood and protect against cholesterol related heart diseases. They also contain many necessary minerals like potassium, calcium, vitamins C and K, folic acid, etc. Avocados have even been proven to contain a toxin that kills cancer cells.

Avocado Pits

Don't throw those avocado pits away if you have use for a nice houseplant.
 All you have to do with the pit is wash it and stick three toothpicks around the pointy upper third of the pit. Place the pit in a jar of water so that most but not all of the pit is submerged. In five days, put the jar in a spot that receives a lot of sunlight. Once you see roots and leaves sprouting, you can transplant the pit to potting soil. Water once a week and watch your little plant