How much is too much fruit?

his_kid1
his_kid1 Posts: 177 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am currently eating a banana a day, a grapefruit or 2 cuties, and maybe some berries or an apple, as well. Sometimes I end up with 4 servings. I also eat a fair number of veggie servings (typically at least 3 or 4). I am RARELY adding sugar or sweetener to anything. My other sugar comes from things like yogurt, other dairy, some in salad dressing, etc. I have dramatically cut my artificial sweeteners since starting MFP (was drinking a good 3 diet sodas a day, and now have MAYBE 2 a week). At what point should I watch the fruit intake? I have lost my first 2 weeks, and know I am down again the 3rd. Is this a case of "don't fix what isn't broken"? or is it "don't get into the habit of eating too much fruit now, and have to cut back later?"

Some advice would be helpful. Thanks!

ETA: I have over 100 to lose, and am on 1350 cal/day. if that matters.

Replies

  • jellybaby84
    jellybaby84 Posts: 583 Member
    Personally, I don't think there is a 'too much' for fruit, unless you are going over your calorie allowance.

    I have around 4-8 servings of fruit a day and 3-5 of vegetables.
  • asyouseefit
    asyouseefit Posts: 1,265 Member
    I've never watched my sugar and it didn't get in the way of my weight loss. As long as you don't rely solely on fruit AND remain close to your calories goal, I don't see a problem with 4 servings a day!
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    Not that I know of! I normally have a banana and apple each day for sure, as well as carrots, and my extras range from 1-2 servings of grapes, cuties, strawberries, cantelope, oranges, peas, peaches, edamame, etc. :) I stopped tracking sugars cause of fruit.
  • morefitmom
    morefitmom Posts: 264 Member
    *bump* Good thread..
  • thatsnumberwang
    thatsnumberwang Posts: 398 Member
    Too much fruit is when you start to get the runs . :tongue: Before that, if you're staying in your calorie allowance I think it's all good!
  • Aegelis
    Aegelis Posts: 237 Member
    For me it's when my stomach becomes upset, partly due to the acidity. Although from a nutritional standpoint I've not heard of too much fruit, but I have heard of too little protein, iron, and other dietary needs not found in fruit.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    Personally, I don't think there is a 'too much' for fruit, unless you are going over your calorie allowance.

    I have around 4-8 servings of fruit a day and 3-5 of vegetables.

    You're right. =]
    As long as it doesn't cause you to consume more calories than you burn you're fine!

    <3
  • his_kid1
    his_kid1 Posts: 177 Member
    Wow, that was fast! What a great help you guys are! Yes, I was a little worried because I am ALWAYS way over on my sugar. I always get more than enough protein (usually hover between 60-80g) and fiber. I will sometimes be a bit under on carbs and fat, which is fine (but not like I'm having NONE, just trying to have a reasonable balance). I don't have any diet "rules" except I try to stick to leaner meats, more whole grains, lots of f/v's, LF dairy, less HFCS, less artificial anything. I really want to eat like this forever, so I am trying not to be terribly restrictive or legalistic about any particular thing, kwim?
  • gorgeouss9
    gorgeouss9 Posts: 221
    Personally, I don't think there is a 'too much' for fruit, unless you are going over your calorie allowance.

    I have around 4-8 servings of fruit a day and 3-5 of vegetables.


    ^^^ this.. if the sugar & carb intake is too much per day, though, you should cut back on it.
  • Fatbuster205
    Fatbuster205 Posts: 333 Member
    The only thing you may have to watch is dental enamel erosion! My dentist warned me to go easy on overdoing fruit as my teeth were becoming sensitive!
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    I am currently eating a banana a day, a grapefruit or 2 cuties, and maybe some berries or an apple, as well. Sometimes I end up with 4 servings. I also eat a fair number of veggie servings (typically at least 3 or 4). I am RARELY adding sugar or sweetener to anything. My other sugar comes from things like yogurt, other dairy, some in salad dressing, etc. I have dramatically cut my artificial sweeteners since starting MFP (was drinking a good 3 diet sodas a day, and now have MAYBE 2 a week). At what point should I watch the fruit intake? I have lost my first 2 weeks, and know I am down again the 3rd. Is this a case of "don't fix what isn't broken"? or is it "don't get into the habit of eating too much fruit now, and have to cut back later?"

    Some advice would be helpful. Thanks!

    ETA: I have over 100 to lose, and am on 1350 cal/day. if that matters.
    No, this is GREAT!

    Don't let anybody tell you that the key to health and fitness is cutting back on fruits and veggies.
    KEEP PUNCHING!

    You are on your way!
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    I stick with low-sugar fruits - love my berries and I will usually put some coconut milk or full fat greek yogurt on it. Fruit has the same effect on my blood sugar as any sugar. Yes it's a natural sugar but your body is going to see it as the same. All non-fiber carbs are converted to sugar by your body. But it is a WHOLE FOOD. Your body knows the language of whole, real food - and all the different nutrients and "stuff" in the fruit all work together. So if you are going to consume sugar that is the best way to go. Most fruit has been genetically engineered to be higher in sugar than their "ancestors". Heck, our ancestors wouldn't even recognize most of the fruit out there.

    Stick with 1-3 servings. If your weight loss comes to a stall try removing fruit (dark leafy greens are chock full of vitamin C and don't have the sugar content) and see what happens. EXPERIMENT. You will learn as you go.

    There is such a thing as too much fruit. Check out the sugar content of the different fruits and go with that. That way you can still enjoy fruit while keeping an eye on how much sugar you are getting from it.
  • karinaes
    karinaes Posts: 570 Member
    personally, i don't watch my sugar intake from fruits. i love fruit! :happy:
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    I've never watched my sugar and it didn't get in the way of my weight loss. As long as you don't rely solely on fruit AND remain close to your calories goal, I don't see a problem with 4 servings a day!
    ^^^^^
    THIS!

    Now, if you were eating 2000 calories worth of grapes or something, then yes, that's excessive.
    But you are eating within goal, and fruits and veggies raw are WONDERFUL!

    Most people need to eat more; remember, if man makes it, don't eat it.
    Raw fruits and veggies have too many qualities to mention, so keep up just what you are doing.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    NEVER too much fruit and veg UNLESS you go over cals lol
  • mangozulu
    mangozulu Posts: 90 Member
    I've just finished my associates degree in Nutrition/Dietetics and am starting work on a bachelor's in the same subject. It would be almost impossible to eat too much fruit='!:) The sugar tally on this program doesn't separate added sugar from naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, grains, dairy products, and starchy vegetable (winter squash, potatoes, corn etc) . This could be why it seems like you are eating too much sugar. The American Heart Association's recommendation is to consume less than 5 tsp a day of added sugar for women (9 for men and 3 for children). Good luck!
  • monkeymouse74
    monkeymouse74 Posts: 288
    i think the count on mfp is for synthetic sugars and white sugar, not healthy sugars from fruit and veg. So I only count the unhealthy sugars. If you like fruit, I say fantastic!!! Go for it!..:bigsmile:
  • i_am_asparagus
    i_am_asparagus Posts: 336 Member
    I stopped tracking sugars cause of fruit.

    Same here.
  • monkeymouse74
    monkeymouse74 Posts: 288
    I've just finished my associates degree in Nutrition/Dietetics and am starting work on a bachelor's in the same subject. It would be almost impossible to eat too much fruit='!:) The sugar tally on this program doesn't separate added sugar from naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, grains, dairy products, and starchy vegetable (winter squash, potatoes, corn etc) . This could be why it seems like you are eating too much sugar. The American Heart Association's recommendation is to consume less than 5 tsp a day of added sugar for women (9 for men and 3 for children). Good luck!

    This was very helpful! Thanks:flowerforyou:
  • delineated
    delineated Posts: 24 Member
    Most people need to eat more; remember, if man makes it, don't eat it.
    Raw fruits and veggies have too many qualities to mention, so keep up just what you are doing.

    I agree. So many nutrients beneficial to overall health. Stay in the calorie goal and your good!
  • ryno0618
    ryno0618 Posts: 361
    My opinion is ya can't have too much fresh fruit. Endulge! (within your calorie allowance)

    Sure its full of sugar, but I can't see fruit sugar being the same thing as snicker bar sugar. uh huh. Natural vs. added.
  • dtaylorusa
    dtaylorusa Posts: 1
    I'm a fan of letting your body tell you when you're eating too much of any particular food group. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish/meats are the mainstay of my everyday diet.

    I stick with fruits with a lower glycemic index and glycemic load in the low single digits, grapefruit is a healthy choice, just watch your teeth it will eat away at your enamel.

    You can find a list of common foods and their GI and GL on this webpage: http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm
  • ericabrothers
    ericabrothers Posts: 115
    Too much fruit is when you start to get the runs . :tongue: Before that, if you're staying in your calorie allowance I think it's all good!

    haha this is EXACTLY what i was thinking. too much fruit will give you bad ****s.
  • delineated
    delineated Posts: 24 Member
    lol.

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