I’m usually a pretty composed person, but I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated of late. What is with this crazy notion that we have to cut out fruit to maintain a healthy weight? When I first started hearing about the ‘no fructose/no fruit diets’ for weight management, I thought that it was pointless getting involved. Surely, the idea of cutting out fruit in an effort to lose weight was so ludicrous that no one would ever fall for it?! But, it seems to have become the latest fad. I was interviewed by a journalist earlier this week asking the question “is fruit still ok to eat?”.
Then, flying back to Melbourne I was sitting next to a lady reading an ‘anti-fruit’ diet book when the air hostess laughed that she wouldn’t be able to eat the wholegrain bread salad sandwich and piece of fruit given to her if she was going to follow the diet in her hands and started raving about the benefits of the diet. Really?! I could keep quiet no longer. Yes, I know it contains fructose, but fructose isn’t some enchanted component that is going to magically pile on the kilos by itself. You can’t blame one isolated factor for the whole obesity epidemic. People have been eating fruit for centuries and we haven’t always been fat – so why are some ‘nutritionists’ suggesting that it should be avoided now?
I’m usually a pretty composed person, but I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated of late. What is with this crazy notion that we have to cut out fruit to maintain a healthy weight? When I first started hearing about the ‘no fructose/no fruit diets’ for weight management, I thought that it was pointless getting involved. Surely, the idea of cutting out fruit in an effort to lose weight was so ludicrous that no one would ever fall for it?! But, it seems to have become the latest fad. I was interviewed by a journalist earlier this week asking the question “is fruit still ok to eat?”.
Then, flying back to Melbourne I was sitting next to a lady reading an ‘anti-fruit’ diet book when the air hostess laughed that she wouldn’t be able to eat the wholegrain bread salad sandwich and piece of fruit given to her if she was going to follow the diet in her hands and started raving about the benefits of the diet. Really?! I could keep quiet no longer. Yes, I know it contains fructose, but fructose isn’t some enchanted component that is going to magically pile on the kilos by itself. You can’t blame one isolated factor for the whole obesity epidemic. People have been eating fruit for centuries and we haven’t always been fat – so why are some ‘nutritionists’ suggesting that it should be avoided now?
Fruit contains no fat, is rich in fibre, is high in vitamins and antioxidants and contains only about 350 kilojoules per 150g serve. The World Health Organisation attributes a lack of fruit and vegetable intake as the direct cause of 14% of cancer deaths, 11% of heart disease deaths and 9% of stroke deaths. Furthermore, the new Australian Dietary Guidelines which were based on over 55,000 evidence-based research studies continue to recommend the consumption of two serves of fruit each day.
More than 50% of Australians don’t meet the recommended two serves of fruit each day. Instead of cutting back, the evidence suggests that many people should be increasing their intake. It’s true that people who are struggling with their weight should avoid drinking too much fruit juice and mindlessly snacking on too much dried fruit, but if you’re trying to watch your weight, you should be cognisant about your portion sizes of everything. But, in general for a healthy diet and a healthy weight, enjoying two serves of fruit per day is still a good choice.
To do: Throw out any diet books which tell you not to eat fruit.