Fruit Lovers Rejoice! The All-Fruit Diet Is Good For You

Eating too much of any food will have its health risks, but many dieters still consider fruits to be the good foods that they can eat in excess without worrying about health consequences like weight gain and high blood sugar levels. But does eating an all-fruit diet mean you’re sticking to a diet that helps your body? The answer might surprise you! Here are some of the proven health benefits and risks associated with an all-fruit diet and how you can maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks.

What's so bad about fruit?

Fruit is often considered a better type of carb than other foods like pizza or ice cream because it's generally low in calories and sugar, it's digested slowly and it has high fibre content. But there are some negatives associated with eating too much fruit. Fruits contain a lot of fructose, which can increase your triglycerides—one type of fat in your blood that contributes to poor heart health when levels are too high. Many fruits also contain large amounts of fibre, which is difficult for many people to digest; you could experience unpleasant symptoms like bloating or gas if you eat them in excess.

What are the benefits of eating only fruit?

High fibre intake, is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Vitamins and minerals from fruits can help boost your immune system and give you more energy. Fruits are high in water content, which helps to prevent dehydration and overeating (which leads to weight gain). When you eat only fruit, it’s difficult to over consume calories or fall short on nutrients, especially if you fill up on fruits that are rich in protein, such as avocado.

How much fruit should you eat in one day?

Aim for about 2 to 3 cups of fruit per day. That’s about three pieces of whole fruit or one cup of cut-up fruit per day. Just be sure to go easy on dried fruits as they have a lot more calories and sugar than fresh fruits do. And remember, you should limit your intake of processed foods containing added sugars and high fructose corn syrup.

Does it matter what kind of fruit you eat?

Some fruits are better than others when it comes to nutrition, so picking an all-fruit diet is an easy way to make sure you’re getting your fill of vitamins and minerals. Some types of fruit are higher in sugar and lower in nutrients; others are high in fibre and have little sugar at all. Mixing up what kind of fruit you eat each day can help even out your nutrition, which will benefit your body both short-term and long-term.

Are there any risks with this diet?

As with any diet, there are risks involved with an all-fruit diet. But if you’re healthy and relatively young, and you don’t have a pre-existing condition, then you should be fine. A major drawback of going fruitarian is that it can quickly deplete your body of fibre. Since fibre is important for absorbing nutrients in your gut as well as promoting good bacteria in your intestines, not getting enough fibre could cause problems over time.

Can this diet be maintained long term?

There is some evidence that an all-fruit diet can be healthy. Studies have shown that a single day of only eating fruit, while certainly not ideal, isn’t likely to do much harm—assuming you still consume other foods over time. Some people claim they’ve eaten nothing but fruit for several months and are perfectly healthy, although it’s unclear if these people were under a doctor’s supervision during their unusual experiment.

Who shouldn't follow this diet?

If you have low blood sugar, adrenal issues, or thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's disease. These health problems are caused by an inability to convert T4 (inactive) to T3 (active) thyroid hormone. A diet rich in fruits could exacerbate these issues and make it harder for your body to convert inactive thyroid hormone into the active form. If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or Hashimoto's disease consult a medical professional before attempting an all-fruit diet.