fresh fruits

drp121274

I have talked to alot of dieter's and very surprised to hear how many of them avoid fruit completely... I was always told that fresh fruit was good for you (in moderation)... what is everyone's option:

a) fruit
b) NO fruit
c) maybe once or twice a week (as a treat)

HELP, because I am SO confused!

dansdeb

Igrew up eating fresh fruit daily and love it. The doctor also recommends it daily. I have found that you just need to add it to your calorie count. It may be sugar etc.... but it is natural sugar and burns faster than artificial sugars.

smuehlbauer

I'd like to know the answer to this too. I eat fruit pretty much every day...

kcdrake

Fresh fruit every day! I usually have at least two servings a day - breakfast and lunch. Many times it's incorporated into snacks too.

The only fruit-complaint I've heard is when people drink fruit juices with lots of added sugar and junk that is unneeded, or fruits packed in heavy syrup.

NikkiDerrig386

It's healthy and natural so I vote A

I live in a house that could be a fruit stand on the street. There is no way for me to avoid it.

cbirdso

I eat at least two servings of fruit every day and try to avoid eating added sugar of any kind. By added sugar, I mean HFCS, cane, maple syrup, etc.

chgudnitz

LOTS of fresh fruit.

I've seen a lot of people on here that cut it out because of sugar or calories. Don't do that. :laugh: Fruit is your friend, embrace the fruit. :laugh:

July24Lioness

I have talked to alot of dieter's and very surprised to hear how many of them avoid fruit completely... I was always told that fresh fruit was good for you (in moderation)... what is everyone's option:

a) fruit
b) NO fruit
c) maybe once or twice a week (as a treat)

HELP, because I am SO confused!

C for me. I limit it as it inhibits satisfactory weight loss for me due to being diabetic and hypo-thyroid. I was told by the endcrinologist and the dietician not to have more than 3 times a week and each serving should be the size of a kiwi or smaller.

So, I treat fruit as a dessert and a treat.

Mindful_Trent

As long as you don't have any special dietary concerns (ex. diabetes) that would make fruit a problem, it is an excellent source of healthy calories - it's nature's dessert! Natural sugar & lots of vitamins, and some have a lot of fiber. Fruit does have more calories than veggies, but they are good for you nonetheless. So much better than our artificial desserts that are packed with preservatives and processed sugars.

Barneystinson

As long as you don't have any special dietary concerns (ex. diabetes) that would make fruit a problem, it is an excellent source of healthy calories - it's nature's dessert! Natural sugar & lots of vitamins, and some have a lot of fiber. Fruit does have more calories than veggies, but they are good for you nonetheless. So much better than our artificial desserts that are packed with preservatives and processed sugars.

I second this

lilmissy2

I say eat fruit! But, as with everything - as part of a healthy diet.

Despite the sugar content of fruit, it's one of the lowest calorie snacks you will find - so I often see patients who are having 5,10 even 20 (believe it or not) serves of fruit a day! In the UK we say '5 a day' meaning 5 fruit or veg so technically it could be 5 fruit.

In Australia, we say 'go for 2 and 5' 2 serves of fruit, 5 serves of veg in a day. I think 2 serves is a good amount. The issue is not that fruit is a nutrient-poor energy-dense food by any means but rather that by having more fruit, you are generally cutting out other important nutrients from different food groups (or if not, you are gaining weight!).

FitToBeFab

I'm all about fresh fruit. Plain fresh fruit!

It's sweet enough that I don't add anything to it, and it's awesome thrown in to a blender with some ice for a smoothie.

I avoid fruit juices because more often than not it's only 10% real juice.

KatieM7

I love fresh fruits! Try to eat some everyday. Some days it is easier than others.

SraArroz

I eat some fruit daily. My dad is diabetic and I'm pre-diabetic, we've been told by our nutritionists, to eat fruit with a meal so it doesn't cause a spike in blood sugar as it is being digested with other foods. Hope this helps.

Ryhenblue

I eat fruit everyday. There are so many good things in fruits that your body needs, including natural fiber. I agree that there are some people that have to limit the fruit due to medical reasons, but if you aren't one of those people there is no reason not to eat fruit everyday.

elizamary77

I vote A i eat fruit EVERY day.

nikhil_c8

I vote A

As they Say...An Apple a day......

NikkiDerrig386

breakfast and 1 or 2 snacks I have fruit and lunch & dinner I have protein and veggies...

drp121274

Thank you for everyone's input... I was thinking that I was losing my mind, but glad to see I wasn't.

mythicals

I love fruit.
It's a great option whenever you're craving something sweet instead of reaching for a candy bar. The sugar is natural, unlike artificial junk in processed foods and isn't bad for you.

aippolito1

FRUIT!! I eat it with breakfast, as an afternoon snack, and when I can, with lunch (usually avocado). So I get 2-3 per day, along with (hopefully what I think is correct) 1-2 servings of veggies.

July24Lioness

Some fruit for thought............... :flowerforyou:


http://www.reducetriglycerides.com/diet_triglycerides_sugar.htm

Fructose is incorporated into triglycerides more readily than glucose (blood sugar); therefore, it has a greater propensity to increase serum triglycerides.

Fructose, also known as fruit sugar (levulose) is a simple sugar twice as sweet as sucrose (table sugar). But because it is mainly metabolized in the liver, fructose has a lower glycemic index.

However, consumption of high amounts of fructose can lower metabolic rate and cause de-novo lipogenesis (the conversion of sugar into fat) since the liver can only metabolize limited amounts of fructose.

For this and many other reasons, and contrary to previous claims for its superiority over glucose (blood sugar), fructose does not play essential part in human nutrition.

Although naturally present in fruits, fructose is also available in the form of crystals as a table sugar substitute. It is also sold commercially as high-fructose corn syrup which can contain up to 55 percent sucrose.

However, fructose can have some toxic effects on our health, especially on cardiovascular and digestive systems, as well as on our metabolism.

Fructose, especially its excessive consumption, may increase:

the risk of abnormal blood clotting ailments and hypertension (high blood pressure)
the risk of type 2 diabetes
total blood cholesterol levels (it serves in part as the raw material for the synthesis of cholesterol within the body)
LDL-“bad” cholesterol levels, and
blood triglyceride levels, especially in diabetics (fructose has a greater propensity to increase serum triglycerides than glucose).
Excessive consumption of fructose may also cause:

fatigue, especially in persons who are fructose intolerant
insulin resistance, and
obesity (due to de-novo lipogenesis - the conversion of sugar into fat).
It is estimated that up to 33 percent of persons are unable to completely absorb fructose due to fructose intolerance (also known as dietary fructose intolerance (DFI) which may cause

flatulence (gas)
intestinal cramps (abdominal pain)
bloating, and
altered bowel habits (diarrhea).
Fructose may cause the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may be an underlying cause of some cases of IBS due to fructose malabsorption.

Ryhenblue

I posted this in another thread but it works here too.

This is an article from the Mayo Clinic. Bottom line, fruit is great for you and will not make you fat. Eating too many calories is what stops you from losing the weight. There are people with medical conditions that have to watch their sugar intake, but if you are not one of them there is no reason to cut fruit from your diet.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-diet/HQ01396


Snacks: How they fit into your weight-loss plan
Well-planned, healthy snacks can complement your weight-loss plan. Here are creative and healthy ways to satisfy your hunger.
By Mayo Clinic staff

Your stomach is growling, but lunch is hours away. You could indulge yourself with a snack, but you think it's best to grit your teeth and wait for lunch. Not so, if weight loss is your goal.

Although you may feel guilty about snacking, snacks aren't necessarily bad. In fact, well-planned weight-loss diets, such as The Mayo Clinic Diet, allow for snacks to help manage hunger and reduce bingeing. Eating a healthy snack of a piece of fruit or some raw veggies can tame your hunger without ruining your appetite for your next meal.

The key to incorporating snacks into your weight-loss plan is to keep moderation and balance in mind.
Choose healthy snacks

Select foods that satisfy your hunger, supply your body with energy and provide important nutrients. Opt for snacks of 100 calories or less to stay within your daily calorie goal. You can eat more of foods with low energy density, such as carrots, grapes and air-popped popcorn, for your 100 calories. Choose snacks from these food groups:

* Fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables provides a feeling of fullness with no fat and only a small number of calories. Fruits and vegetables also provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients.
* Whole grains. Whole-grain snacks are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which give you energy with staying power. Look for items such as low-fat whole-grain crackers, whole-grain pretzels and whole-grain crispbreads.
* Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds provide protein, so you will feel fuller longer. They can be high in fat, but it's mostly monounsaturated, a healthy kind of fat. Nuts and seeds are high in calories, however, so don't eat them in large quantities.
* Low-fat dairy products. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are good sources of calcium and protein, plus many other vitamins and minerals. Dairy products can be high in fat, so choose the low-fat versions. Some yogurts have extra added sugar, so look for low-calorie or "light" varieties.

What does a 100-calorie snack look like?

Although snacks can contribute to a healthy diet, they can also be a source of excess calories if you aren't careful. For example, a small handful of almonds (about 14 nuts) is 100 calories. But eat a cup of almonds, and the calorie count jumps to over 800 calories.

So what are some smart choices? Here are several suggestions for 100-calorie snacks:

* 1 cup sliced bananas and fresh raspberries
* 2 cups of carrots
* 3 1/2 cups air-popped popcorn
* 5 melba toast crackers, rye or pumpernickel
* 2 tablespoons of peanuts
* 2 domino-sized slices of low-fat Colby or cheddar cheese
* 1 fat-free chocolate pudding cup

When a snack fills in for a meal

With today's busy world, healthy meals often lose out to busy schedules. A grab-and-go snack could be the difference between some nourishment and none at all. You'll find it easier to choose good-for-you snacks if you stock your refrigerator and shelves with foods that are fast — not fussy. These ideas for healthy snacks minimize fat and calories and maximize whole grains, fruits and vegetables. They're all around 200 calories.

* Toast one-half of a whole-wheat English muffin. Top with one slice Canadian bacon, a tomato slice and one slice low-fat American cheese. Microwave until the cheese melts.
* Spread 1 tablespoon part-skim ricotta cheese over one-half of a small cinnamon-raisin bagel. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired and top with a thinly sliced apple.
* Top a small baked potato with 2 tablespoons fat-free plain yogurt and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning.
* Layer a 6-inch soft corn or flour tortilla with 2 tablespoons shredded low-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. Microwave until the cheese melts. Slice into bite-sized pie shapes. Dip into some salsa if desired.
* Mix 1/4 cup cold leftover chicken or convenience-type chunk chicken with sliced seedless grapes, 1/2 tablespoon sunflower seeds, 1 tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt or fat-free mayonnaise and a dash of curry powder. Stuff into half of a whole-wheat pita pocket.

Heed your hunger pangs, but forget the guilt. With planning and a little preparation, you can have healthy foods on hand so that you're ready when temptation strikes.

emmyvera

fruit is a great thing! it is natural and there for has vitamins, minerals and "better" sugar for you. you are better off replacing a little debbie (ah..those devilish nutty bars!!!) with a piece of fruit. fruit can have fiber, vitamin c, antioxidants, etc. so you should have fruit everyday.

and fresh fruit. not canned fruit or anything of that sort. that is where all the preservatives and syrup sugar stuff comes into play and that is NOT good.

i grab a little fresh fruit for the week and have it as snacks, desserts, etc.

SewRue

I can't see why fresh fruit would hinder you more than it would be helpful. I'm a vegetarian so I eat a lot of fruit. Most fruit is full of vitamins, proteins and antioxidants. Sure the carbs/sugars are high. But it's still healthy. If you feel like fruit is hindering your weight loss than eat just the recommended amount. Look for fruits that are lower in sugar, such as raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and strawberries.