Vegetarianism comes in a variety of forms: Ovo-lacto vegetarians don't eat meat but will eat eggs and dairy, pescatarians eat fish but no other animal products and vegans eat no meat or animal products at all. Fruitarians follow a diet of fruits, nuts and seeds without animal products, vegetables and grains and are a subset of the vegan group.
Benefits
The fruitarian diet is naturally high in healthful vitamins, minerals and fiber as well as anti-oxidants, phytochemicals, plant sterols and a host of other beneficial food-related chemicals. By consuming nuts and seeds, fruitarians also ensure they are getting plenty of essential omega-3 and omega fats that are linked to cardiovascular health, brain development, reduced systemic inflammation and skin health. The fruitarian diet is generally very low in calories. Low calorie diets can lead to significant weight loss as your body burns fat to make up the dietary shortfall of energy.
About Fruit
Fruitarians define fruit as food that is produced by a plant that can be harvested without harming the plant in the process. Some fruitarians limit themselves to foods that fall from plants while others with a less extreme view are happy to consume fruit that has been picked. Some foods classed as fruits by fruitarians are in fact legumes, nuts, grains or seeds however, in botanical terms at least, these foods can also be classified as fruits.
Raw Food Juicing
A variation of the fruitarian diet involves consuming raw fruit juices. Raw fruit juices should not be confused with the commercially produced cartons or bottles of fruit juice available in your supermarket. Most commercial fruit juices are heat-treated and/or pasteurised which reduces much of their goodness. Fruitarians who consume raw fruit juices generally prepare their own juices so that they can be assured that they are only consuming the freshest and healthiest juice possible.
Considerations
People choose to follow a fruitarian diet for a number of reasons. Some believe that, from a spiritual point of view, plants should not be harmed in any way. Others believe that sources of animal foods are so tainted by pollutants such as hormones and antibiotics that fruitarianism is the only safe form of food left. Life extensionalists believe that very low calorie diets such as fruitarianism are linked to longevity while some people use the fruitarian diet simply for weight control.
Concerns
Some dietary experts believe that the fruitarian diet is too restrictive and fails to provide sufficient nutrients that are normally obtained in a more balanced diet. Deficiencies include protein which is normally obtained from animal products, calcium which is normally obtained from dairy and vitamin B-12, a vital vitamin for carbohydrate metabolism that is not present in any fruit or vegetable and is only obtained from meat and eggs. Other concerns the amount of fruit sugar -- called fructose -- consumed in a fruitarian diet. Fructose, like all sugars, can cause tooth decay. Other experts believe that the fruitarian diet is too low in calories and will leave you feeling tired hungry and weak much of the time.
References
- "The Fruitarian Diet"; Hereward Carrington; 2010
- "Fruit: The Ultimate Diet"; Rejean Durette; 2004
- Diet.com: about the fruitarian diet
- Columbia University's Health Q & A Service: Fruitarian question
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