Too much fruit and veg?

Emilyloosingfifty

I'm currently aiming to eat 1400 calories a day and I've been using fruit and veg as a tool to keep me full and satisfied so I don't reach for unhealthy food instead.
Today it occurred to me that I am eating A LOT of it - average 500-600 calories worth per day. I feel okay but I'm wondering if that too much? Is it possible to overdo it?

JoanaMHill

Unless you have a sensitivity to them, the only thing you really risk is getting tired of them. However if eating that much is consistently putting you over your calorie goals or making it harder to fit other things in, you might want to take a look at your diet and decide if you should cut back there or in other areas. My current calorie goal is 1460 and even with meals at 300 or 400 calories most days, I don't have that much room for snacks unless I exercise that day.

sjp_511

A sharp increase in fiber will affect your bowels while your body adjusts, but I think a diet full of fruits and veggies is a good thing.

bcattoes

I'm currently aiming to eat 1400 calories a day and I've been using fruit and veg as a tool to keep me full and satisfied so I don't reach for unhealthy food instead.
Today it occurred to me that I am eating A LOT of it - average 500-600 calories worth per day. I feel okay but I'm wondering if that too much? Is it possible to overdo it?

If you are still getting enough fat and protein, then it's unlikely to be a problem.

schpazee

The high sugar content in many fruits translates to carbs, which will be stored if you're not exercising. Stick to berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries , raspberries) and measure out the portions. Pass by bananas, apples, watermelon and canteloupe, which are higher in natural sugar content.

kgreenRDLDN

I'm currently aiming to eat 1400 calories a day and I've been using fruit and veg as a tool to keep me full and satisfied so I don't reach for unhealthy food instead.
Today it occurred to me that I am eating A LOT of it - average 500-600 calories worth per day. I feel okay but I'm wondering if that too much? Is it possible to overdo it?

Like the others stated, the fiber can cause some people to have some GI issues if its a sharp increase from what you normally eat. However other than that, as long as you are balancing your diet with proteins, grains, dairy, the fruit & veggies you are fine! No such thing as too much fruit or too much vegetables!

kgreenRDLDN

The high sugar content in many fruits translates to carbs, which will be stored if you're not exercising. Stick to berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries , raspberries) and measure out the portions. Pass by bananas, apples, watermelon and canteloupe, which are higher in natural sugar content.

Berries still have carbs to them, though they are lower. There is no problem with bananas, apples, or melons (they are low in carbs too due to water content) These fruits are high in fiber so that helps.

alexandriax03

The only thing I worry about is that you aren't getting enough calories from other foods. If you're eating 500-600 calories per day from just veggies/fruits, that only leaves about 800-900 calories for proteins and fats, which are typically higher calorie.

Here's just an idea for a meal plan:

Breakfast:

2 hard boiled eggs (140 calories, 12 g protein)
1 banana (90 calories)

Mid morning snack:

Reduced fat cheese stick (60 calories, 5 g protein)
1 small to medium size apple (60 calories)

Lunch:

3 oz. meat (roughly 120 calories, 21 g protein)
1 cup brown rice (150 calories)
As many veggies as you'd like (my dietician tells me veggies are FREE… ZERO CALORIES. So despite what MFP tells you, don't count them)

Mid afternoon snack:

1 cup fruit of your choice (100 calories)
Emerald 100 calorie pack almonds (100 calories)

Dinner:

3 oz. meat (roughly 120 calories, 21 g protein)
1 small to medium sweet potato (150 calories)
As many veggies as you'd like

Bedtime snack:

Veggies with ranch dressing made with plain chobani greek yogurt and hidden valley ranch seasoning (it's really good and way better than pre made dressings….. 75 calories)

Total calories: 1165

This leaves you room for additional food choices… more fruits or something else that you like to eat.

Hope this helps.

P.S. make sure you are drinking enough water as well

sharonmiele

Iam doing the same thing as at home we eat a lot of veggies bannanas and strawbereies and with the spring time comeing a lot of fruit and veggies will be in the house but Iam starting my diet now Iam not waiting I also find my self cheeting Iam not going over my goals or anything which is good but I feel bad I do Iam going to get my veggies in I have cauliflower waiting at home yummy

Shellz31

I agree that the increased fiber could cause temporary digestive discomfort, though your body will get used to it and from my experience things get a lot easier and more efficient in that area over time.

I seriously question the idea you can eat too many fruits and veggies, especially when most people eat too few. 100 calories of broccoli has more protein than 100 calories of steak (seriously, look it up if you don't believe me). And obviously 100 calories of broccoli is a lot more volume than 100 calories of steak so it'll fill you up better. You're getting micronutrients that your body needs, and you even get some fatty acids from produce.

Unless produce is strictly all you are eating, I wouldn't worry personally. Just one girls opinon though

sharonmiele

It helped me I don't have a printer so I wrote everything down by hand and Iam going to follow this thanks

sharon

horndave

The high sugar content in many fruits translates to carbs, which will be stored if you're not exercising. Stick to berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries , raspberries) and measure out the portions. Pass by bananas, apples, watermelon and canteloupe, which are higher in natural sugar content.

not this ^^^^^

Fruits and vegetables in quantity are not going to hinder your weight loss unless you are eating so much to create a calorie excess.

TeaBea

I'm currently aiming to eat 1400 calories a day and I've been using fruit and veg as a tool to keep me full and satisfied so I don't reach for unhealthy food instead.
Today it occurred to me that I am eating A LOT of it - average 500-600 calories worth per day. I feel okay but I'm wondering if that too much? Is it possible to overdo it?

If you are still getting enough fat and protein, then it's unlikely to be a problem.

This!^

If your protien & fat numbers are good, then no problem. Protein & fat also help you stay full.

marekdds

I love fruit & veg. I make sure I eat enough good fat & protein, but after that, I eat mostly plant stuff. I have had good success and I am quite healthy now. Unless you have dietary issues with them, I wouldn't worry about it.

DebbieLyn63

I agree that the increased fiber could cause temporary digestive discomfort, though your body will get used to it and from my experience things get a lot easier and more efficient in that area over time.

I seriously question the idea you can eat too many fruits and veggies, especially when most people eat too few. 100 calories of broccoli has more protein than 100 calories of steak (seriously, look it up if you don't believe me). And obviously 100 calories of broccoli is a lot more volume than 100 calories of steak so it'll fill you up better. You're getting micronutrients that your body needs, and you even get some fatty acids from produce.

Unless produce is strictly all you are eating, I wouldn't worry personally. Just one girls opinon though

Actually 100 cals of broccoli has 7 grams protein, whereas 100 cals of lean steak is around 14 grams. I looked it up.

As for the OPs question, if you are talking about non starchy vegetables, then yes, it would be very difficult to overeat on those, if you were eating them raw. If you cook them, or juice them, then you can eat quite a bit more and could potentially go over your calories, but still not too likely. The exception for me is cauliflower. I cook it and mash it up like potatoes, and can easily eat a whole bag in one sitting. That is 125 cals for a 1 lb bag.

As for fruits- bananas are around 100 cals each. So are large apples. Pineapples, melons, etc actually have quite a few calories and sugar as well, so it is not difficult to go over your calorie goal if you eat several servings a day.
Even tho it is natural sugar, and fruit has some fiber, it is still a lot of sugar when eaten in bulk and can spike your blood sugar and insulin levels.

If you do eat 500-600 cals a day in fruits and veggies, then I would cut out starchy carbs so that you can fit in your protein and healthy fats.
Measure and weigh your fruits so that you keep an accurate calorie count.

prettyface55

The only thing I worry about is that you aren't getting enough calories from other foods. If you're eating 500-600 calories per day from just veggies/fruits, that only leaves about 800-900 calories for proteins and fats, which are typically higher calorie.

Here's just an idea for a meal plan:

Breakfast:

2 hard boiled eggs (140 calories, 12 g protein)
1 banana (90 calories)

Mid morning snack:



Reduced fat cheese stick (60 calories, 5 g protein)
1 small to medium size apple (60 calories)

Lunch:


3 oz. meat (roughly 120 calories, 21 g protein)
1 cup brown rice (150 calories)
As many veggies as you'd like (my dietician tells me veggies are FREE… ZERO CALORIES. So despite what MFP tells you, don't count them)

Mid afternoon snack:

1 cup fruit of your choice (100 calories)
Emerald 100 calorie pack almonds (100 calories)

Dinner:

3 oz. meat (roughly 120 calories, 21 g protein)
1 small to medium sweet potato (150 calories)
As many veggies as you'd like

Bedtime snack:

Veggies with ranch dressing made with plain chobani greek yogurt and hidden valley ranch seasoning (it's really good and way better than pre made dressings….. 75 calories)

Total calories: 1165

This leaves you room for additional food choices… more fruits or something else that you like to eat.

Hope this helps.

P.S. make sure you are drinking enough water as well

I like this!!

gracekovarik1

It is absolutely impossible to hurt you body with fruits and vegetables!

gracekovarik1

don't eat fat if you are trying to lose fat!

SailorKnightWing

don't eat fat if you are trying to lose fat!

I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.

Fat doesn't make you fat. Too many calories make you fat.

DebbieLyn63

It is absolutely impossible to hurt you body with fruits and vegetables!

It is so totally possible if..

1. You have food allergies, or
B. You have ulcerative colitis.

Either of those could land you in the hospital.

So there.

arl1286

500 calories is pretty standard for me for fruits/vegetables. I make sure that I hit at least 5 servings per day, but I usually exceed 8. For example, what I ate yesterday (in terms of fruits/veggies): 2 bananas, 1 apple, carrots, 2 cups of chopped zucchini, 1 cup of chopped bell peppers, 1/2 cup of chopped onion, and 5 medium sized mushrooms.

Huffdogg

don't eat fat if you are trying to lose fat!

o_O

uninformed person is uninformed.

Smashley1947

There is good fat and bad fat.

Avacodo - good fat,
deep fried French fries - bad fat.

There is so much research on this its ridiculous.

Your body needs fat, also good fat flushes the bad fat from your system.

Phoenix_Warrior

There is good fat and tasty fat.

Avacodo - good fat,
deep fried French fries - delicious fat.

Fixed it for you to take out all the misinformation. Would like to add

Happy fat- Ice cream

Phoenix_Warrior

OP, if you like fruits and veggies, go for it. Just make sure you're getting a good amount of protein and fats. And because I love these links:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets