Does fruit really count?!

leahgoldgirl

All calories are NOT created equal. That said, they still are calories and they do count. While 500 calories of fruit is a whole heck of a lot better than 150 calories of Doritos, they do factor in and you do have to count those 500 calories, if you are trying to lose weight.

The other thing to keep in mind about fruit, is though it is great for you and chock full of necessary vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, it is also high in sugar.

I would suggest swapping out some of the fruit for veggies, which have the vitamins, are lower in sugar and calories and still high in fiber, and maybe even throw in a few nuts (high in calories, but also high in good fats, protein and a lot of other things your body needs).

rml_16

I'm kind of a mfp newbie. I've been logging fairly accurately. However I work shift work, so when I work a 12 hour shift I eat a lot of snacks. Usually all being fruit, strawberries/blueberries, grapes, peach and a plum. However those alone are over 500 calories or very close to. I'm finding I'm using a ton of my calories in just these snacks at work. My question is how much does fruit count in the grand scheme of things, should I overlook the fact that they are so many calories?

A calorie is a calorie. It is entriely possible to become obese eating only healthy, natural, "clean" foods.

BeachIron

Of course fruit "counts." As you said, fruit has calories. Eat the fruit, and make sure you get sufficient protein and fats so it all forms a balanced diet.

Contrarian

Everything counts in large amounts.

FrankiesSaysRelax

Yes I count them. 500 calories are a lot to disregard.... if you eat it - log it x

Yep. You don't get to decide which calories count and which don't. If you eat it, it counts.

contingencyplan

If you're using any sort of logging system other than the Weight Watchers Points System (which does not attach a value to fruits) then yes you should count them. They have calories and a calorie is a calorie.

divaj87

They definitely count! Fruit adds up if you munch on it all day! Like pineapple for example, has a lot of natural sugar in it. To me, sugar is sugar and a carb is a carb.

witmer1

Everything counts. They have calories. Calories are calories, no matter where they come from.

craigerr

I am new here as well, I am eating "fruit til noon" in my weight loss plan. Definitely the calories count, but from the research I have done, eating frequent portions of a food like fruit puts your metabolism into fat burning mode rather than fat storing mode.

cwolfman13

I'm kind of a mfp newbie. I've been logging fairly accurately. However I work shift work, so when I work a 12 hour shift I eat a lot of snacks. Usually all being fruit, strawberries/blueberries, grapes, peach and a plum. However those alone are over 500 calories or very close to. I'm finding I'm using a ton of my calories in just these snacks at work. My question is how much does fruit count in the grand scheme of things, should I overlook the fact that they are so many calories?

A calorie is a unit of energy...nothing more, nothing less. All calories count; yes, you're getting more nutrition from 500 calories of fruit than you would with 500 calories of cake...but to your body, the actual calorie is just energy and it's going to use it in the same exact way, regardless.

rml_16

I am new here as well, I am eating "fruit til noon" in my weight loss plan. Definitely the calories count, but from the research I have done, eating frequent portions of a food like fruit puts your metabolism into fat burning mode rather than fat storing mode.

*sigh*

mirandaeaston

Fruit counts but you may be over eating fruit due to blood sugar spikes try adding a good protien with you fruit snack. I love fruit so I try to limit to two time a day with other food never alone. Try more vegies. Hope it helps

BeachIron

I am new here as well, I am eating "fruit til noon" in my weight loss plan. Definitely the calories count, but from the research I have done, eating frequent portions of a food like fruit puts your metabolism into fat burning mode rather than fat storing mode.

*sigh*

*head desk*

SoDamnHungry

They count! Good for you for choosing healthy calories, though. But I'd agree with the people suggesting you add some protein and fat in there. Eat some blueberries and an egg, or some nuts. You'll probably find yourself needing to snack less since fruit doesn't always make you feel that full.

leomom72

you cant just ignore 500 cals a day..log them..if it was like a strawberry here and there, it may not be such a big deal, but 500 cals are 500 cals..good luck

sarashmor

Thanks for everybody's input.
I guess I wasn't very clear in my post. The fruit never puts me over my calories, I eat low cal breakfast and lunch and take a low cal dinner and snacks when I work nights. I guess it's working because I'm down 14 pounds in a month.

whierd

I have never seen a fat fruititarian.

janatarnhem

I have never seen a fat fruititarian.

Ha! Me neither!

JoRocka

Yes just overlook them. Fruit has healthy sugars so it equals 0 calories.


.....No, count them.

LULZ

yeah that's about what I was going to say.

herblackwings39

500 calories is 500 calories. If you'd count a cheese burger or a slice of pizza for that amount you should still be counting fruit and veggies.