Dates are great as an ingredient in baked goods, but are inedible all by themselves. They are in the same food group as fruitcakes, something you buy in bulk to send to people on Christmas because you can't be bothered with shopping for individual gifts.

Figs are better, especially as Newtons, but the seeds get caught in your teeth.

Nuts - especially almonds, filberts, walnuts and pecans are fine, but not brazil nuts, which taste like dirt.