Fruit, Fruit the magical….wait, that’s not right! That rhyme is about beans. And I want to talk to you about FRUIT.
Who doesn’t love fruit? Fresh, juicy, delicious fruit! It’s refreshing on a hot summer day, satisfying in a fresh, seasonal smoothie, great for holiday desserts and makes a perfect Spring Sangria. Let’s be real, fruit is incredibly delicious, convenient, versatile and HEALTHY! Or is it?
Yes, fruit is healthy. In moderation. Fruit contains a lot of good stuff like antioxidants, fiber, vitamins & minerals. Those things can really do a body good (unlike milk, but we’ll save that story for another day). The bad news? A lot of fruits also contain high amounts of fructose, which is the same thing as sugar. Do you know what happens to sugar after consumption? A couple of things.
When you consume fructose, your body processes it via your liver and it turns into fat. That’s right, FAT. So if you’re trying to lose weight, eating a lot of fruit is not your best bet. Secondly, the more fructose you eat, the more your body develops an insulin resistance, which means that you are more likely to develop Type II Diabetes. Thirdly, consuming sugar causes opiate and dopamine activity in the reward centers of the brain. In layman’s terms, eating too much sugar (including fruit) causes a real, physiological addiction to sugar. Sugar addiction can lead to a ton of other bad stuff, including heart disease and cancer. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want any of that.
When I began the Autoimmune Protocol to treat my Lupus holistically, I had to limit my fruit to just 1-2 servings a day. When you’re cutting out nearly all other sugary foods (along with carbs!!!), fruit is the LAST thing you want to give up. And you don’t have to! Fruits are a beneficial part of any diet. Just remember, balance is key.
You’ve heard the expression “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” right? It’s true! Apples are an excellent choice for a snack. But not all fruits are created equal. Limit yourself to what types of fruit you choose and how much you consume. Here is a list of fruits with high fructose content, and some healthier alternatives that will provide the same nutrients.
