Fruitarianism – the Original Diet on Earth?
Fruits are said to be the original food on earth. Whether such thinking is due partly to the apple’s role in Adam and Eve’s story or because of the obvious result of deductive thinking since fruits can naturally be picked from trees and eaten without cooking, the role of fruits in man’s diet is a commonly discussed issue. The more controversial aspect lies in the use of fruits as the sole source of nourishment by people who choose to adopt the fruitarian lifestyle.
The Fruitarian Lifestyle
Veganism is said to a very strict diet. However, fruitarianism is said to be more restrictive even if it is considered only as a subset of veganism. It is more akin to raw veganism since fruitarianism tends to avoid cooking. The fruitarian diet includes nuts and seeds, vegetables and grains, and fruits, By common definition, fruits refer to plant fruits that are sweet, fleshy, and comes with seeds like apples and oranges. There are many foods though that fall under the category of fruit that are not often thought of as such including tomatoes and some berries.
A person is technically called a fruitarian if his or her diet consists of at least 75% fruits. Fruitarians favor fruits that are naturally harvested from plants that will not necessitate killing it. Strict fruitarians prefer fruits that have fallen off from trees without human intervention. They also tend to avoid eating seeds since they see them as containers of future plants. Some practicing frutarians indeed refer to Adam and Eve’s story as a proof that fruits comprise the original diet of mankind.
Proposed Advantages of Fruitarianism
Proponents of fruitarianism point out several expected benefits from adopting a fruitarian diet. One is convenience. Fruits can easily be eaten raw and without any complicated preparation. The use of utensils is seldom a necessity. Fruits are also very nutritious as they are considered excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are also said to contain the highest amount of antioxidants that can be obtained from consumed food. Because fruits are able to provide such benefits with the least amount of calories, some are convinced that fruit is the perfect food.
The fruitarian diet is also said to promote not only physical well-being but also mental and spiritual well-being as well. This is in reference to the idea that fruits are live foods since they are eaten raw and thus still contain all the nutrients it offers at the time of consumption. The fruitarian raw food diet also brings about detoxification or natural cleansing of the body since nothing that is not naturally found as food enters the body.
Concerns about Fruitarianism
Like in veganism, there are concerns about possible vitamin deficiencies in adopting a strict fruitarian diet. This kind of diet may result to lack in calcium, iron, zinc, protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and certain essential fatty acids. Since fruitarians do not consume any food derived from animal substances, the highest risk is vitamin B12 deficiency since vitamin B12 is usually obtained from consuming animal products.
The fruitarian diet is not recommended for adoption by children and teens because they are still in the developing stage. Serious growth and development issues have been known to result in children fed with a strict fruitarian diet. Adults practicing fruitarianism are advised to proceed with care especially if they intend to stick with it for an extended period of time.
Famous Fruitarians
There are several famous personalities who practiced fruitarianism for a certain period of time including Steve Jobs, August Engelhardt, Arnold Ehret, Mohandas Gandhi, and Idi Amin. More current practitioners include Paris Hilton and Neve Campbell. Based on his personal notes, Leonardo da Vinci is also said to have been a fruitarian.
My Say
The adoption of the diet by famous personalities has made it possible to bring fruitarianism into mainstream lifestyle. Nutritional experts are not denying the importance of fruits in the human diet. The only concern is whether the diet composed of fruits only can actually provide all the dietary needs of human beings. This is expected to be discovered in time.
Hefty Foodie
This is a nice read, though I like some fruits I can’t imagine eating just that. Unfortunately, I’m a shameless meat lover.
Teresa Martinez
The diet we choose to adopt is a personal decision.
Ness
gosh! i cant live with fruits alone. I wonder how those people can stand this…
Teresa Martinez
I wonder about that too.
Yaniconquistadora (@YaniMetrado)
Fruits alone could not sustain you. As a Dietitian, I encourage people to eat balanced diet- meaning, foods with enough source of carbohydrates, fats, protein and vitamins and minerals 🙂
Teresa Martinez
That is one professional advise for all of us. Thanks!
Algene
I love fruits more than I love veggies! I heard from my friends, diet is more effective daw with veggies 🙂 But fruits do work only when highly selected!
Teresa Martinez
These diets work with certain conditions…always.
MsKathyKenny (@kenny1030)
I’d have to disagree with this diet though kasi maraming nutrients that can’t be provided by fruits. Besides, maraming fruits din ang tadtad ng sugar.
Teresa Martinez
You’re right with regards to some fruits having so much sugar that they may be actually bad for the body when consumed in large quantities.
jane
oh! i can be a fruitarian also! i can spent the whole day eating fruits! haha like the other day mango png busog nko pro with yogurt cguro hehe
Teresa Martinez
Have you imagined doing that the rest of your life? I feel weak just thinking about it.
bayenmd
Being a fruitarian is good but you also need some protein and some fat which cannot be provided by fruits alone. Key still is balanced and moderate diet.
Teresa Martinez
Maybe the key in finding the right diet is balance and not exclusivity.
Alwin
Poor apple… always referred to as the fruit that brought damnation to Adam and Eve. hehe… I can’t be a fruitarian. I get hungry fast when consuming fruits alone
Teresa Martinez
Poor apple indeed…Fruitarianism requires dedication and determination and probably a very good reason to do it.
Dems
This is doable, given that you do not need to be on a 101% fruits-only diet, although it’s a little hard for me. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Several people have attempted this strict diet although studies that will show its success are fairly limited.
Pal Raine
I love to eat fruits. But I don’t know if I can live with fruits alone.
Teresa Martinez
I can just imagine how difficult it is to maintain this diet.
Ricky Bernardino
I love fruits and I always have it every meal but I don’t think I can survive with 100% fruit diet. My meal are mostly rice, meat, vegies & finish it with fruits. I think it’s balance enough =)
Teresa Martinez
Yes, I think fruits form part of a healthy, complete eating package with the inclusion of other food sources
Carl Custodio
Hmmm…Frutarianism sounds healthy and easy to prepare. We should all give this diet a chance. Cheers! For healthy living!
Teresa Martinez
At this time, adopting the diet for long term use is yet being studied because of the expected negative results of sticking to fruits alone.
Aldous
eating strictly fruits can become difficult
Teresa Martinez
It can be that is why I believe strict fruitarians are not many.
lovemindanao
True that eating fruits is convinient but human are designed as omnivores where complete nourishments are coming from both plants and meat . Various types of diet are now emerging as form of marketing and creating a social norm which is beyond the natural design… just my thoughts ..
Teresa Martinez
This is probably due to man’s unending quest for the “most” in every aspect.
Maria Teresa
I love fruits, but I can’t live on fruits alone. I need to have meat and veggies, too!
Teresa Martinez
Same here so I really wonder at the determination of some to adopt this diet.