Benefits Of A Fruitarian Diet

Benefits of a Fruitarian Diet

Dec 14, 2010 | By Adam Dave, MD

A fruitarian diet consists exclusively of fruit. Fruits contain seeds that will produce the next generation of plants, which will flower and fruit again, and come in a rainbow of colors and an array of shapes and sizes, from the exotic durian to the common apple. A fruitarian diet offers the benefits of nutritiousness and convenience. As with starting any treatment or diet, always talk to your doctor first.

Convenient

Most fruits fit nicely into the palm of your hand and can be eaten as is: raw, whole and without the need of utensils. Fruits are the only food group that lends itself to consumption in an unprocessed state. Because it involves little preparation or cleanup, fruit makes a convenient snack or an entire meal. Dr. Douglas Graham, author of "The 80/10/10 Diet," endorses eating 7 lbs. or more of fruit each day, including several pounds of bananas.

Nutritious

Fruits are among the best sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber of all foods. According Don Colbert, M.D., author of "Eat This and Live," fruits have the highest amounts of antioxidants of all foods, including vegetables. Fruits highest in antioxidants include prunes, raisins, berries, plums cherries and oranges. Fruits are also rich in vitamins and an excellent source of fiber. One cup of raspberries has more than 8g of fiber, which is one third of the recommended daily allowance for a woman.

Low in Calories

Many fruits contain under 100 calories per 1-cup serving. These include strawberries, raspberries and cantaloupe. Even starchier fruits like bananas contain around 100 calories per fruit. Because they are low in calories and high in nutrients, fruits are considered nutrient-dense, and if your wish is to achieve high doses of vitamins, minerals, water and fiber in your diet for a minimum of calories, fruits can be considered nature's perfect food.