Dietitians can provide great advice when it comes to losing weight, nutritional plans and addressing lifestyles factors about a patients wellness goal.
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In fact, many people turn to dietitians when theyre curious about trying a plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diet. Other folks are looking for low-carb, keto or high-protein diets. And occasionally, some people ask about the fruitarian diet, which involves eating primarily fruits.
But according to registered dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD, the fruitarian diet is one of the most restrictive diets out there and most importantly, is not often recommended or endorsed.
The fruitarian diet has a big risk of malnourishment, she explains Because of this, the diet is not usually recommended by dietitians because its just not part of a balanced eating plan.
People were likely looking to eat whole, natural foods from the earth, so they turned specifically to fruits. But because of the restriction and malnourishment factor, the diet has (thankfully) decreased in popularity over the years.
Fruits are packed with natural sugar in the form of fructose and many vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene. Some research even shows fruits can reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
So generally speaking, eating fruit (in moderation) is healthy for you and its often recommended to increase your intake of whole fruit (but not fruit juice) when youre looking to revamp your diet and eat healthier. Plus, fruit makes a great addition to meals as a natural sweetener and is a good snack to grab instead of chips or cookies.
That being said, even when you consider the benefits of fruit and why it should be included as part of a balanced diet, people should generally keep their fruit intake to no more than 25% to 30% of their diet to avoid nutritional imbalances.
A better dietary approach to being a fruitarian is the Mediterranean diet or a pescatarian diet (which is a vegetarian diet that includes fish). Both include a strong base of fruits and vegetables, along with other plant based foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, plant based oils and whole grains. Both diets limit dairy and sugar.
But what about weight loss on the fruitarian diet?
You might lose weight on the fruitarian diet, but I dont consider this a true benefit, because you are likely losing muscle, says Patton.
Instead, dietitians always recommend choosing an eating style or diet that you can stick with long-term.
Fruit-based diets can be very restrictive and can cause several health problems:
Before you start any new diet or nutrition program, Patton recommends talking with your doctor or meeting with a dietitian to discuss your goals and lifestyle. Together you can craft an eating plan that youre more likely to stick with long-term.
Read the rest here:
The Fruitarian Diet: Is It Good or Bad For You? - Cleveland Clinic
