Why do people cut out fruit?

MacMadame

I don't cut out fruit. But I limit it. That's because a lot of fruit choices are high in sugar and also because, if you aren't careful, you can add a lot more calories to your day eating a lot of fruit thinking it's "healthy" and therefore not a bad choice.

But, the thing is, our bodies don't tend to do well with fructose and a fructose molecule is a fructose molecule whether it comes from a banana or a cookie. They do okay with a little. So I eat a little. Plus, the sugars in fruit are simple sugars which means they enter the bloodstream pretty fast and spike insulin (as others have mentioned). The fiber in the fruit helps with that somewhat but how much depends on the fruit.

The other thing is, unlike a lot vegetables, some fruits are pretty high calories. A banana has around 100 calories (depending on its size) while a cup of raw broccoli has 30. It's pretty easy to eat a banana, but a cup of broccoli (uncooked) takes some time and some work.

So I never limit veggies and I never find myself in a situation where I've eaten a lot more calories than I expected because I ate too many veggies. But I do limit fruits because I have found myself in situation where I went over my calories because I ate too much fruit, not realizing how many calories were in that particular kind.

MacMadame

Unless you are a diabetic..... EAT FRUIT!

Or unless you want to avoid getting Diabetes--then limit it, South Beach (developed to help prevent Diabetes and Heart Disease) suggests 1-2 fruits/day.

So how much fruit consumption would cause someone to get diabetes?

And why would the CDC list eating fruit as a way to prevent diabetes?

And why would you be taking nutritional advice from the CDC?

AlabasterVerve

Unless you are a diabetic..... EAT FRUIT!

Or unless you want to avoid getting Diabetes--then limit it, South Beach (developed to help prevent Diabetes and Heart Disease) suggests 1-2 fruits/day.

So how much fruit consumption would cause someone to get diabetes?

And why would the CDC list eating fruit as a way to prevent diabetes?

And why would you be taking nutritional advice from the CDC?

Because the CDC isn't trying to sell me a diet.

ETA:
Eat fruit, limit fruit, don't eat it--I honestly don't care--do whatever you want. But don't scare people into not eating something when there is SO much good, reliable research out there promoting the health benefits.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-full-story/index.html

deksgrl

And why would the CDC list eating fruit as a way to prevent diabetes?

Where does the CDC say this? I am looking at a CDC page on diabetes prevention and it actually says:
"Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. "

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/eatright.htm

AlabasterVerve

How can I prevent diabetes?

EAT MORE FRUITS, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
• Buy and try a new fruit or vegetable every time you go outshopping for groceries.

CHOOSE HEALTHIER MEALS
• Change your high fat meals and snacks for fruits, vegetablesor nuts. Drink more water.

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/prevent.pdf

killagb

a lot of people don't like them (like myself) so it's an easy thing to get rid of and therefore eat less calories. when i do rarely eat them, i don't count the calories so that i don't deter myself

Your body counts the calories either way, if you log it or not.

deksgrl

How can I prevent diabetes?

EAT MORE FRUITS, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
• Buy and try a new fruit or vegetable every time you go outshopping for groceries.

CHOOSE HEALTHIER MEALS
• Change your high fat meals and snacks for fruits, vegetablesor nuts. Drink more water.

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/prevent.pdf

I totally misread your earlier post. I thought you were saying that the CDC recommended NOT eating fruit to prevent it.

agentscully514

My body does not know the difference between those sugars, so I cut out most fruit
I get my nutrition from vegetables and low sugar fruit like berries. High sugar fruit is not "healthy" food for me.

Because people don't make the distinction between natural sugars (fruit) and refined sugars (processed foods). There is a very important difference in my opinion.

DavidNewOrleans

I cut it when I want to get cut. It has too much suger and like most sugary foods, it will make you crave it more. I would recommend it in the morning or before or after a workout, except when you are trying to get below 8% bodyfat. Then you need to watch all carbs, even the good ones.

agentscully514

by "people", I guess you mean my doctor, endocrinologists in general, and the multitude of studies that show insulin resistance causes weight gain?

Because people have a misconception that insulin is the bad guy.

http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319

issyfit

Well at least a few here agree with me on limiting fruit, not cutting it out entirely. I didn't say fruit causes Diabetes, but excess sugar in the diet can contribute to developing Diabetes and the fructose in fruit is sugar.

Acg67

by "people", I guess you mean my doctor, endocrinologists in general, and the multitude of studies that show insulin resistance causes weight gain?

Because people have a misconception that insulin is the bad guy.

http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319

You are talking about a minority of people that have insulin resistance though

Well at least a few here agree with me on limiting fruit, not cutting it out entirely. I didn't say fruit causes Diabetes, but excess sugar in the diet can contribute to developing Diabetes and the fructose in fruit is sugar.

"Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: No, it does not. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight."

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-myths/

hml1976

Sugar may not cause diabetes but there is some interesting new research that indicates excess sugar may mess with hormone levels, liver damage, and may even cause some cancers. That doesn't mean we shouldn't eat any fruit but I do think its smart to be aware of just how much sugar you're eating every day.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/should-we-regulate-sugar/?scp=2&sq= sugar&st=cse

Acg67

Sugar may not cause diabetes but there is some interesting new research that indicates excess sugar may mess with hormone levels, liver damage, and may even cause some cancers. That doesn't mean we shouldn't eat any fruit but I do think its smart to be aware of just how much sugar you're eating every day.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/should-we-regulate-sugar/?scp=2&sq= sugar&st=cse

Ar article by Taubes, talking about Lustig's presentation among other things?

lolololol

littlemsmuffet

Because people don't make the distinction between natural sugars (fruit) and refined sugars (processed foods). There is a very important difference in my opinion.

There is no difference. Sugar is sugar in the body.

:flowerforyou:

melrose09

The fructose in fruit does raise blood sugar. On South Beach we are encouraged to eat some protein or fat with our fruit to slow its digestion, and to choose fruits lower in sugar.

I could totally be down with some PB and apples. One of my favorite snacks!

wftiger

Carbs and sugar. And even if they are "healthy" when you have high blood sugar they can damage your health more than they can ever do good for you.

When you have high blood sugar you have to limit those items by Doctor's orders not because you so choose to do so.

People should stop judging others. Everyone jumps on the bandwagon that we are ignorant and do it because we do not know a difference between types of sugar. Well guess what? Neither does your body. Sugar is sugar. I am not going to lose a limb to eat an orange.

andersonaj88

Fruit can be good and bad for you. I am very carb sensitive. I have chosen to limit my fruit when I am in a weight loss mode. I enjoy more fruit when I am in a stabilization mode. The secret to eating fruit , eat it before 2 pm. It gives my body time to metabolize the sugars before bed time.

sandy2006

I dont eat fruit, it makes me hungry. If I eat an apple I am starving in 30 minutes and wished I had went for a protein snack.

Di3012

Is it the carbs, the sugar? I was under the impression those things aren't that bad for you. I mean, it's fruit. I'd be devastated if someone told me to lose weight I had to stop eating apples and kiwi.

.....Do I?

Fruit is my replacement for sweets and cakes and I love it, I adore oranges and eat three or four per day.

If someone were to order me to cut out fruit I would most likely faint with shock!

tiffanyrose519

Because people don't make the distinction between natural sugars (fruit) and refined sugars (processed foods). There is a very important difference in my opinion.

This is my view too! Some may have a hard time digesting it, but if that's not the case, I don't see the harm.

woou

some people just don't like fruit. any fruit. i have to nag my cousin and brother to eat them.

Sparkz1920

Because people don't make the distinction between natural sugars (fruit) and refined sugars (processed foods). There is a very important difference in my opinion.

exactly! natural sugar (fruit) isn't bad but people see that negative red number next to sugar when they enter their foods and panic thinking it's bad. If anything I eat more fruit and yes that number always stays negative and red :smooched:

A friend of mine who is a Chem Major told me the body breaks down fruit sugar and table sugar in the exact same way. Also why most people prefer not to drink lots of 100% juice all of the time, but water mainly. I would never cut fruits out all the way, but I wouldn't eat an abundance of them. Sugar is Sugar. From Cane to Corn to Fructose

issyfit

A friend of mine who is a Chem Major told me the body breaks down fruit sugar and table sugar in the exact same way. Also why most people prefer not to drink lots of 100% juice all of the time, but water mainly. I would never cut fruits out all the way, but I wouldn't eat an abundance of them. Sugar is Sugar. From Cane to Corn to Fructose

From all that I have read this is true. However, my understanding is that the insulin response is slower when food is digested more slowly, so it is beneficial to eat protein or fat with your fruit and to choose high fiber low sugar fruits if you are concerned with a blood sugar spike from eating fruit. The cycle is--eat sugar->raise blood sugar->release insulin->develop low blood sugar->feel hungry and/or develop sweet and starch cravings. This is the way Dr. Agaston explains it in the South Beach books.

Sydney0710

Yes, it is true that simply sugars are simply sugars regardless of whether it's table sugar or fruit sugar BUT the difference is that fruit sugar comes with lots of natural fiber that helps the body absorb the sugars more slowly and the fruit contains vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants. It is a good source for nutrition, but some people mistakenly get caught-up in focusing only on simply sugars found in fruit.

Sydney0710

And actually, most fruits are still pretty low on the glycemic index because of all the fiber in fruit. This is why a person should eat a whole piece of fruit rather than drink a glass of fruit juice.

runfoodierun

Yeah, I'm always wary of any plans that tell you to make sweeping eliminations (like no starches or dairy). Balance is key. I said in another post that my dietician recommends 2-3 fruit servings daily (and unlimited veggies, provided they're not prepared with a bunch of fattening oils, etc). There's sugar in fruit but it's naturally-occurring. Definitely a better snack than, say, artificially sweetened cookies or something.

I say the same thing about carbs! why cut them out! carbs are the only thing that fuel the brain! ONLY!!! dont eat carbs, your brain is not getting fuel. true, everything in moderation. Sure, there are sugars in fruit, but they hare natural sugars that break down easily. AND they are a low calorie treat. With nutrients and phytochemicals to boot!

Dont give up the fruit. (ps, I have my bachelors in nutrition... )

hsmithway

And wow, I've never heard of mixing fruit and protein... totally new to me! So it's supposed to prevent sugar spikes? Will have to look into this...

I don't know about sugar spikes, but I definitely feel fuller longer if I eat some protein with my fruit.

This time of year I tend to eat more vegetables than fruit, but I grow a lot of fruit in my garden, so come spring/summer I'll eat fresh home-grown currants, strawberries, raspberries, honey berries, blueberries, gooseberries, lingonberries, and rose-hips, and apples and pears in the fall. Fresh veggies in my garden, too, but for some reason I find sad grocery store veggies more tolerable than sad grocery store fruits, and I like making vegetable soups, so I tend to eat more veggies in the winter.

Lorleee

Carbs and sugar. And even if they are "healthy" when you have high blood sugar they can damage your health more than they can ever do good for you.

When you have high blood sugar you have to limit those items by Doctor's orders not because you so choose to do so.

People should stop judging others. Everyone jumps on the bandwagon that we are ignorant and do it because we do not know a difference between types of sugar. Well guess what? Neither does your body. Sugar is sugar. I am not going to lose a limb to eat an orange.

But the original question wasn't about people cutting out fruit due to health issues. It was about people saying that cutting out fruit is necessary for weight loss. Which it isn't. It's nothing personal. I don't think anyone here is arguing a doctor's orders.

neaneawy

I have had more success eating a normal diet - just watching my sweets. This is a way of life - not a diet.

I agree. I don't consider what I'm doing a diet. This has to be a life change. I don't believe in eliminating anything or I'll set myself up for failure. I eat clean and balanced most of the time, but I have some comfort foods that need to find their way into my diet occasionally. With portion control and exercise I was even able to eat everything I wanted at my daughters bday today, including cake. I'm well within my calories for the day!