Fruit and Raw Veggies only Diet

bekah818
bekah818 Posts: 179 Member
A couple of years ago I lost over 50 lbs on a veggie and fruit diet only. Over the years I fell off the wagon and I gained the weight back because I didn't do enough to maintain my weight loss. After college I got a job working in an office and I ate whatever and sat for 8 hours everyday and almost never went to the gym. I put on 40 of the 59 lbs I gained :sad::sad: :sad:

I began working out and dieting again, but I'm considering trying fruit and veggies thing for a while since I had so much success before. How I did it before was I only ate fruits and vegetables everyday with no limit and drank lots of water. If I wanted my vegetables cooked, I used non-fat zero calorie cooking spray and maybe a few natural spices for flavor, but that was it, I didn't add anything else to my veggies or fruit. No meat, no bread, grains, or pasta. Strictly fruit and veggies for a couple of months. It's hard at first, but I got use to it after 2 weeks. I want to try it again

What do you guys think?
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Replies

  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Sounds very low in protein to me, why not just do a vegan diet?
  • Kaylaef
    Kaylaef Posts: 194 Member
    Sounds very low in protein to me, why not just do a vegan diet?

    Yeah--i don't know where I would get any energy from doing this. If you look at my diary, I eat A LOT of veggies and fruits a day. But if I didn't have those two eggs in the morning, i'd loose my mind. Even if you wanted to throw some tofu into the mix, or some chickpeas might be a little better. Soy and almond milk, things of that nature. If you're trying to avoid complex carbs and meat products.
  • BCSMama
    BCSMama Posts: 348
    Personally, I'm not a fan of super restrictive diets for the purposes of weight loss. For me, this was/is a lifestyle change and I wanted to make changes to my diet/life that are sustainable and healthy so that will stick with them for the long term. Clearly, even though this diet helped you loose weight in the past, it was not sustainable. I'd recommend eating clean, healthy foods most of the time and exercising.
  • tomg33
    tomg33 Posts: 305 Member
    Eating only vegetables and fruit should work for anyone since the food has so few calories for its volume. You'd have to really bugger it up to not lose weight.

    However I personally do not like exclusion diets because the results really come by accident; you never know what is actually happening in your body and why you are succeeding (or failing!). The end result is that the diet is unsustainable and you have learned nothing about proper nutrition.

    For me, I can't really see why I would rather only eat vegetables and fruit when I can easily have my lean meats, dairy, eggs, nuts, etc as well and still lose weight, still get stronger inside and out, and overall be my best... It takes more thinking and more effort but I can honestly tell you that any time spent investing in yourself in this way will have rewards for every area of your life.
  • bekah818
    bekah818 Posts: 179 Member
    I appreciate the feedback guys. Thank you
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    That's why you got it back. I was on a very restrictive diet 14 years ago, which worked great, I lost over 30 lb in 6 months or something. Then life happened, I got a job, and couldn't bring my lunch (not done much where I'm from and there was no fridge), and I got it all back plus extra within 6 months (and I have the stretch marks to prove it).

    IMO, just a bad idea. Just eat normally but less of it and try to avoid the bad stuff as much as possible. That's a diet you can maintain.
  • SweetlyVague
    SweetlyVague Posts: 172 Member
    I think super restrictive diets are a horrible idea, personally. I feel like people won't stick to them forever, so once you're off the wagon, all the other foods you eat will hit you hard. Besides, no protein? Yikes.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Was it really a success if you gained it all back? Doesn't seem sustainable and sounds like you'll just continue to gain and lose, gain and lose. Why not try something that would work for the long run?
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    When you restrict your eating too much that's when you gain the weight back once you change your eating habits. Are you going to live off fruits and veggies forever? If not, than don't eat that way now.

    Fruits and veggies only will cause you to lack a lot of protein. You need protein... you need fat in your diet. Eat a proper, balanced diet.
  • _Lori_Lynn_
    _Lori_Lynn_ Posts: 460
    I find this to be a very nice cleanse. A break from all the other crap you put in your system and a clean slate.

    I have been thinking about doing this for a while. How long did it take you to lose the 50 lbs? Did you stay on the cleanse/diet until you lost it all or did you take breaks. I read where you can add protein drinks to this diet in order to add some protein.

    I tried this for about three days and then I slowly added meat twice a day. One serving of nuts once a day and then one serving of yogurt. It was weird, bc all of a sudden, I was like, "oh, now I get out to eat healthy.. .this is it". It was like I needed to delete it all, start with the basics and add the other stuff. If that makes sense. I always knew how to eat right, but could never "do it". Once I got rid of everything and started over with fruits and veggies as my staple, it was like I was able to piece it all together and do it. I fell off the wagon and it seems I need a clean slate to do it right again. When I clean a room, I take everything out of the room and clean. I then replace each item slowly and with thought. It is easier for me to do it that way than to clean the room by taking away the junk here and there. Weird analogy, but that is what works for me.

    Also on the three days I did it, I found it to be kind of cool, bc I ate and ate and ate without guilt. And then at night when I loaded my diary, I found I was only at about 550 - 700 ish on calories each night. I was so stuffed, I couldn't believe it. That is why I started adding nuts first to the diet.

    Mind you, all of these negative comments above are coming from people who have never tried it. They mean well, but they have no experience. It taught me how to eat the right way. I felt sooo amazing afterward and you STILL didn't gain it all back, so it was worth it if you are ahead of the game due to it.

    Lets do it!
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    This is why you gain it back! You go on a DIET....what you ned to do is change your eating habits and start a lifestyle of fitness.
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    You gained it all back because it's not sustainable for you to live that way. You should address the eating habits you have now that have caused your weight gain instead of drastically switching to something you can't continue.
  • _Lori_Lynn_
    _Lori_Lynn_ Posts: 460
    You gained it all back because it's not sustainable for you to live that way. You should address the eating habits you have now that have caused your weight gain instead of drastically switching to something you can't continue.

    she didn't gain IT ALL back. She gained some of it back. She is still at a 19 lb loss.
  • Eating only raw food is bad for you. Your body has evolved to deal with cooked foods.
    Eating lots of fresh fruit and veg is good for you; eating only uncooked fresh fruit and veg is not.
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    You gained it all back because it's not sustainable for you to live that way. You should address the eating habits you have now that have caused your weight gain instead of drastically switching to something you can't continue.

    she didn't gain IT ALL back. She gained some of it back. She is still at a 19 lb loss.
    You picked out one irrelevant word to disagree with from some actual healthy advice........... please stop.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Two months is far to long to live off only fruit and veg. You'll lose a lot of muscle along with the fat and it's not sustainable in the long run. If you are only doing this to lose weight I think that in the end you'll fail and put it back on and what will go back on will be more fat but no muscle, making you worse off than before.

    Why not just eat in a way to can live with forever? A good balance of carbs, protein and fat with a reasonable calorie deficit and exercise. Lose the weight slowly and healthy so you can keep it off forever.

    More fruit and veg is never a bad idea but only fruit and veg for two months? You'll be at a very unhealthy calorie level and probably end up deficient in some key nutrients which could do real damage long term. Even just protein from beans, lentils, nuts and tofu will help if you want to avoid meat and dairy thought there is no real reason to unless you have allergies etc.

    I'm my opinion the best "diet" is one you can live with for the rest of your life. :flowerforyou:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    80/10/10 for the win!
  • bekah818
    bekah818 Posts: 179 Member
    I find this to be a very nice cleanse. A break from all the other crap you put in your system and a clean slate.

    I have been thinking about doing this for a while. How long did it take you to lose the 50 lbs? Did you stay on the cleanse/diet until you lost it all or did you take breaks. I read where you can add protein drinks to this diet in order to add some protein.

    I tried this for about three days and then I slowly added meat twice a day. One serving of nuts once a day and then one serving of yogurt. It was weird, bc all of a sudden, I was like, "oh, now I get out to eat healthy.. .this is it". It was like I needed to delete it all, start with the basics and add the other stuff. If that makes sense. I always knew how to eat right, but could never "do it". Once I got rid of everything and started over with fruits and veggies as my staple, it was like I was able to piece it all together and do it. I fell off the wagon and it seems I need a clean slate to do it right again. When I clean a room, I take everything out of the room and clean. I then replace each item slowly and with thought. It is easier for me to do it that way than to clean the room by taking away the junk here and there. Weird analogy, but that is what works for me.

    Also on the three days I did it, I found it to be kind of cool, bc I ate and ate and ate without guilt. And then at night when I loaded my diary, I found I was only at about 550 - 700 ish on calories each night. I was so stuffed, I couldn't believe it. That is why I started adding nuts first to the diet.

    Mind you, all of these negative comments above are coming from people who have never tried it. They mean well, but they have no experience. It taught me how to eat the right way. I felt sooo amazing afterward and you STILL didn't gain it all back, so it was worth it if you are ahead of the game due to it.

    Lets do it!

    I appreciate this so much! I lost that 50 lbs within 5 months.. I know that's quick, but I felt so good. I had so much energy and I felt refreshed. And of course I didn't eat only veggies and fruits for five months. I started off eating veggies and fruits and slowly brought in meats, and then did veggies, meats, and fruit. And then I slowly brought in grains, nuts, and calcium-rich foods like cheese and yogurt. I felt so energized and healthy and I lost weight like crazy. My system needs a nice reset right about now. I appreciate everyone's feedback here, but I think I'm gonna go for it. I'll add you!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Have you tried just eating a balanced diet that does not exclude so much? Just eating fruit and raw veggies sounds very sub-optimal for fats and protein. Enough protein is important for retention of LBM (strength training is also) and fats are very important for healthy body functions and hormonal balance.


    ETA: just saw the above post....*sigh*
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Honestly asking: If you've already tried it once, and it didn't work long term, why do it again? Find a nutrition plan that you can stick to forever. Best of luck
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    Eating only raw food is bad for you. Your body has evolved to deal with cooked foods.
    Eating lots of fresh fruit and veg is good for you; eating only uncooked fresh fruit and veg is not.

    So if my fruits and veggies were all raw that I ate I wouldn't be as healthy as if I ate all cooked foods?

    Raw or cooked, fruits and veggies are still a great source of nutrients. Cooking veggies too much will result in losing nutrients from the veggies.
  • cebiginalaska
    cebiginalaska Posts: 280 Member
    Sounds very low in protein to me, why not just do a vegan diet?

    Vegans eliminate all animal products. :noway: I think it might be harder for vegans to get protein than vegetarians.

    "The difference between a vegan and a vegetarian is that vegans eliminate all animal products from their diet, including dairy and eggs. Those following a vegan lifestyle generally do not wear leather and avoid products made from animals such as wool, silk and down. Vegans' tremendous compassion for animals is an abiding, overriding conviction in their lives.

    Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish or poultry but they tend to consume dairy products and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians consume dairy products but not eggs, ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy products and lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat eggs as well as dairy products. Vegetarians also do not eat products that contain gelatine or other meat-based products."

    P.S. I can't live without meat :)
  • Saabster1
    Saabster1 Posts: 4 Member
    Congrats to your decision to go vegan, at least for a while. Fruits and vegetables can provide all the nutrients your body needs. For inspiration, read one of Dr. Fuhrman's books or watch movies like "Fork over Knives" or "Fat, Sick and almost Dead". I have turned to this type of diet recently and plan to stick to it for good.
  • kennethmgreen
    kennethmgreen Posts: 1,759 Member
    I appreciate this so much! I lost that 50 lbs within 5 months.. I know that's quick, but I felt so good. I had so much energy and I felt refreshed. And of course I didn't eat only veggies and fruits for five months. I started off eating veggies and fruits and slowly brought in meats, and then did veggies, meats, and fruit. And then I slowly brought in grains, nuts, and calcium-rich foods like cheese and yogurt. I felt so energized and healthy and I lost weight like crazy. My system needs a nice reset right about now. I appreciate everyone's feedback here, but I think I'm gonna go for it. I'll add you!
    I get the desire for a jump start. I really do. And I know about the attraction to the idea of a "cleanse." But I'm pretty sure you lost all that weight from how much you ate, not what you ate. You restricted calories and dropped the weight. I won't argue that raw fruits and vegetables aren't a great part of anyone's diet. But any diet that is too restrictive is set up for failure because you must have a transition back to "normal" eating patterns.

    The sentiment from many on MFP is to find a more "normal" eating plan (normal to you - meaning, what you like to eat, what makes you feel good) and start there, cutting back on calories. If you START with foods you already eat and like, then there really is no need for a transition. It's a very difficult idea to let go of, but losing weight and/or being "healthy) does not mean you have to follow some strict food guideline. There are lots of options. I hope you explore them.
  • bekah818
    bekah818 Posts: 179 Member
    I hear what everyone is saying on here. I actually do know how to eat healthy and what's proper nutrition. I guess I'm so results-driven that I like to see results quickly, so I guess my impatience at times is a problem, I can admit.

    But when I lost the weight the first time, I kept it off for a long time, long after I began eating more than just fruits and veggies. Just within these past two years I gained the weight because I ate so terribly and made no effort. This time around I'll probably do a fruit and veggie 7-day cleanse or something, I won't go months. But I think my system needs a reset, and a little detox that way won't hurt.

    Thanks for the feedback!
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    I hear what everyone is saying on here. I actually do know how to eat healthy and what's proper nutrition. I guess I'm so results-driven that I like to see results quickly, so I guess my impatience at times is a problem, I can admit.

    But when I lost the weight the first time, I kept it off for a long time, long after I began eating more than just fruits and veggies. Just within these past two years I gained the weight because I ate so terribly and made no effort. This time around I'll probably do a fruit and veggie 7-day cleanse or something, I won't go months. But I think my system needs a reset, and a little detox that way won't hurt.

    Thanks for the feedback!

    doing it for a short amount of time is fine - long term it's really dangerous. don't be impatient. it's not a race, it's a marathon. it's a new lifestyle. the more patient you can be with yourself, the better your success in the long run.

    good luck!
  • bekah818
    bekah818 Posts: 179 Member
    [/quote]

    doing it for a short amount of time is fine - long term it's really dangerous. don't be impatient. it's not a race, it's a marathon. it's a new lifestyle. the more patient you can be with yourself, the better your success in the long run.

    good luck!
    [/quote]


    You're right. Thank you!
  • hfester
    hfester Posts: 114 Member
    In the summer when peaches, tomatoes, and the like are in season, I'll sometimes do a one day "veggie fast." I agree with others who argue that it is not balanced, but I can also see the benefits.
  • _Lori_Lynn_
    _Lori_Lynn_ Posts: 460
    You gained it all back because it's not sustainable for you to live that way. You should address the eating habits you have now that have caused your weight gain instead of drastically switching to something you can't continue.

    she didn't gain IT ALL back. She gained some of it back. She is still at a 19 lb loss.
    You picked out one irrelevant word to disagree with from some actual healthy advice........... please stop.

    No, I actually just corrected something you said. I just wanted you to be sure you saw that she gained back only 40 LBS of 59 lbs and is still at a 19 lb loss after years of being off this diet. It appeared you didn't see that. If you want to know how I feel about her diet, you can scroll up two posts above your incorrect comment. I wrote several paragraphs.

    I will now comment on your second sentence. You said she needs to "address the eating habits she has now which made her gain". She already addressed that in your original post as well. She said, "she gained it back due to a new desk job and mindless snacking at work while sitting. She also stopped working out". To me that sounds like she sees the problems which made her gain and thus that is why she wants to cleanse again with the basics of fruits and veggies and then reintroduce healthy foods and try again. When you fall off a bike or fail at something, you don't say, "hey I am never going to ride a bike again, because I'll just fall again." Instead you say, "I fell because I was doing this-or-that and next time, I won't do that. She may fail again, but then again she may not. She is going to eventually add back other healthy foods, I think she is just getting a jump start on her weight loss and cleansing from bad cravings and foods. You can't deny, her diet will probably be healthier than most of ours with all those colorful foods, vitamins, minerals, anti -oxidents and fiber.

    I commend her for trying again after failing and reassessing what made her fail.
  • _Lori_Lynn_
    _Lori_Lynn_ Posts: 460
    Eating only raw food is bad for you. Your body has evolved to deal with cooked foods.
    Eating lots of fresh fruit and veg is good for you; eating only uncooked fresh fruit and veg is not.

    So if my fruits and veggies were all raw that I ate I wouldn't be as healthy as if I ate all cooked foods?

    Raw or cooked, fruits and veggies are still a great source of nutrients. Cooking veggies too much will result in losing nutrients from the veggies.

    Agree. When you cook veggies you lose many nutrients. Eating foods in their most natural form is healthiest (except of course for meat).

    Just an FYI, I saw a study done on two plants. One was given microwaved water after it cooled. And the other just plain unaltered faucet water. This continued and after a few months, the plants were left alone. The plant with the microwaved water was near death while the other plant was still really vibrant. And it could be that microwaving is worse than cooking with a stove. I do have the link to the study and pictures upon request.

    I guess one of the plants could have been sick, but the girl who did this study got it from a study which was conducted in a lab, she just wanted to try it on her own to see.