Fruitarianism

[Juju]

If you've never heard of it, it's a diet that consist complete of fruit. If I remember right, Gahndi was a fruitarian. What do you think of it? Is it healthy?

link to learn more => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruitarianism


Adding: Can vampires survive on such a diet?

[lobo]

well... this is a public forum and it seems impolite to talk badly of people, so i'm not going to call it stupid, but if you're living on fruit and nothing else, then you're gonna get some nutrition problems real fast, unless you eat various vitamin pills as a supplement, in which case, to get Enough vitamins, you'll almost be eating more pills than fruits.

Gahndi was a fruitarian.

"Mahatma Gandhi political and spiritual leader, briefly followed a diet similar to fruitarianism. He and his followers repeatedly discontinued these diets as in the long term they proved unsustainable."

What do you think of it?

about fruitarianism? not going there <.<  about human feeding habits? well, if you look at human teeth, and compare them to the teeth of various animals, all evidence points towards the fact that humans are by nature, omnivores.

Is it healthy?

in a word, no.

for further clarification, read above

[dusty]

If you're one of the large number of people of Central European heritage who malabsorb fructose, the intestinal gas will probably kill you and those around you. Seriously, though, you'll get SIBO and wither.

[lobo]

hmm... "death by farting"... or not farting as the case is <.< an ignoble death if there ever was one 

[tomakins]

I am friends with a person who has been raw vegan for about 8 years now and she has no nutritional issues and needs no supplements. However it takes a lot of education to know how to eat a diet like that. Where to get not just your vitamins but minerals, protein, fats, etc. Plus, your body burns fruit pretty quickly and passes the fiber quickly as well. So where a 2,000 calorie/day diet may be fine for an omnivore, a raw foodie needs to bring in much more.

I did 100% raw vegan for a little over a week and it is an interesting experience to say the least. Because not only were there some things I was more than likely missing, it is hard to get used to. While learning you feel like you are constantly eating. Taking in 3000+ calories a day.

It wasn't all bad though. After a few days my energy was amazing! After a meal I would instantly feel on top of the world. But it takes more than a few days to fully get used to it as (from what I guess with my own experiences) your body is getting by and using the new fuel to the best of it's ability. But after a while whatever it is missing starts to catch up.

Fruitarianism is even more difficult I would think because you are limited even more and really need to diversify what kinds of fruits you eat, paired with what other kinds, at what times of day, etc. Probably why so many of Ghandi's followers failed at the diet/lifestyle is that Ghandi perhaps had spent more time learning about the foods and how his body used them. Perhaps his culture, being heavily vegetarian, aided him in his eventual transition to fruitarianism.

As for the healthy behind it, I have only really looked into raw veganism as fruitarianism seemed too difficult for me to consider partaking in other than a one day cleansing ritual. But the ideas behind raw veganism is involving the antioxident and live enzymes one consumes vs what is broken down by cooking foods about (roughly) 110F.

There is scientific research for and against a raw diet, as I am sure there is about fruitarianism specifically, as well as testimonials for and against. But with an extreme diet/lifestyle change such as raw vegan or fruitarianism education is definitely the key.

[G-rod]

Vegan is sustainable, I'd say. After all, a vegan can eat nuts and other things like that for certian proteins.

[Lono676767]

problem with vegans is that  they chronically suffer from a vit b12 deficiency
there are 3 types of vit 12 on the market.
cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive, due to its stability and lower cost. its also the worst for you.. because unless you drink alot of orange juice or acidic foods it doesnt have a good absorbtion rate.
methylcobalamin-is the best but most expensive , and best absorbtion rate if taken sublingually.
hydroxocobalamin-mid grade but, a better absorbtion rate.

[tomakins]

I haven't had a problem with protein. I was worried about it at first, but even without dipping into some soy methods I calculated it all one day and on a calorie restricted diet (even vegans can gain weight) I was bringing in the proper amount of protein. I am only conscious of it after a workout because I know that is the best time to take in an extra few grams of protein.

The B12 is easier to get these days. So many vegan foods are fortified with it and, unless your body is really our of whack, it takes a long time to deplete your stores. I have never had a problem with it really and I know my occasional feta cheese (one of the rare cheeses that doesn't hurt my stomach, mush be a goat thing) isn't giving me anything special.

I think I will stick with my semi-vegan diet for now. Perhaps the occasional raw day. The important thing, whether it be omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, fruitarian, etc is to listen to what your body tells you. If your body is causing a big fuss over the fuel you give it you can bet your energy will fluctuate and bring some negative surprises as well.

[deusxmachina]

Fad diet, plain and simple. And I agree with everyone that says that it can lead to dangerous nutrient deficiencies.

I think any "diet" that is something specific should make you think twice. Moderation is the best thing, cut out the junk, do what feels right.

I think I will stick with my semi-vegan diet for now. Perhaps the occasional raw day. The important thing, whether it be omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, fruitarian, etc is to listen to what your body tells you. If your body is causing a big fuss over the fuel you give it you can bet your energy will fluctuate and bring some negative surprises as well.

Absolutely the most important bit. Your body knows what it needs more than some diet guru.

[tomakins]

Another thing is the difference between what is thought of as a "diet" and what is thought of as a "lifestyle".
Some "diets" are short term, which is bad. What needs to happen is to try something you know you can do forever. If you can't do it forever then you shouldn't do it beyond a cleanse/purge of sorts (such as a raw day or something). But really if you find the right lifestyle and it works, there should be no need for a purge or cleanse.

[A-Tesch]

to any one who things being a vegitarian is a healthy life choise i would like to dissagree. My reason being is that you cant get the full protiens you need from plants. there are basicaly 8 diffrent types of amino acids ( the building blocks of protiens, diffrent combinations of these acids make different protiens) only 3 can be found in plants while the other 5 are ONLY found in animals. So you maybe thinking your getting your normal intake of protien but your not, full protiens only come from animals and animal bi products, your body needs all 8 of these amino acids to proporly build muscle and keep the body working, this is why vegitarians are always weaker then meat eaters, they cant proporly build muscle, ya they can work out but if not on a propor diet they are just slowly breaking down their muscles. When you work out your creating micro fissures in the muscle, your body then fixes the tears but makes it better this time around, thats why you get stronger, but you need all the amino acids or working out is just breaking down ur body to nothing.

[tomakins]

I hadn't had meat in over two years and when getting some bloodwork done due to previous cholesterol issues (which are gone since giving up animal products) and a borderline underactive thyroid they want to follow up on every six months (something I had while an omnivore) everything checked out. Proteins were fine, iron was fine, no deficiencies. And I didn't take any supplements during most of that time.

[A-Tesch]

something like that wouldnt show up on tests because your body takes the protiens then breaks them down to into the amino acids, if your feeling health and strong, kudos to you, your doing something better then most vegitarians.

[tomakins]

The biggest problem most failed vegetarians, vegans, raw foodists, etc do is to eliminate vs replace.
If one eliminates meat, they suffer more from a loss of calories than anything else. Those are the gaunt vegans one sees at Peta rallys and such. Replacing is the key. Grains and legumes is key. If going raw, it is more complex but with education and dedication one can be immensely healthy.

[A-Tesch]

ya i guess i do agree with you on the education and dedication like i personaly say no to it but if you can replace whats being taken out of your diet then all the power too you, by the way can you share some tips? like something you eat that others maybe dont, i have a stuborn and dedicated friend whos pretty weak right now and i want to help her out as much as a can, any advice?