Ashton Kutcher and Steve Jobs have made the news in the past for following afruit only diet.
Many will follow an all-fruit diet as part of a fast or detox, but some try to eat this way 24/7.
The all-fruit diet has gone by many names in the past:
- Eden Garden Diet
- Ehretism
- Fruit Flush Diet
All of these diets are variations on living off of mostly fruits (some include a few vegetables).
But, can you survive by only eating fruit?
Low Protein, No Fat
This is the main problem with a fruitarian diet. However, avocados are considered fruits that are also excellent healthy fat sources.
- One whole avocado contains 4 grams of protein as well.
- One cup of dried figs contains about 5 grams of protein.
- There are some other fruits that contain 1 or 2 grams per 100 calorie serving. But, overall, your protein intake would be very low.
Without the protein we need everyday, and if other nutrients are not in balance, the body’s homeostasis becomes disturbed. Muscle wasting can occur and other body systems may “malfunction”.
The lack of fat in the diet leads to low levels of satiety. And people on the fruit diet may notice a dullness to your hair, skin, and nails.
A Fruit Diet has too Much Sugar!
I beg and plead my weight loss patients to eat more fruit in their day. But, in this case, it is important to watch your sugars. Eating only carbohydrates made of mostly sugars and fibers can run a toll on the blood glucose levels.
The body does a great job of processing carbohydrates, but if you eat sweet fruits all day long, the pancreas has to work even harder.
Ashton Kutcher was recently hospitalized for pancreas problems while following an all fruit diet for his portrayal of Steve Jobs, who died of pancreatic cancer.
Hungry Yet?
An all-fruit diet can leave you feeling ravenous. Why? There is very little protein to help keep you fuller longer, and there is little to no fat to keep you satisfied and happy. The high carbohydrates make keep your serotonin levels boosted, but only for so long.
At least the fruits have fibers to help keep you a little bit fuller. However, the end result is a gnawing hunger likely due to the nutrient imbalance.