Does Fruit Make You FAT!?

This seems to be a controversial subject that we get asked a lot of the time here at ace Lifestyle.

There is a lot of advice out there about weight loss, some say to eat lots of fruit, some say not to as the sugar content in it can make you gain weight, here we are going to examine the best fruits to eat for weight loss.

Fruits are carbohydrates and contain simple sugars called fructose. The fructose contained in fruits is chemically the same as the fructose contained in some sugary snacks and soft drinks so you might say what’s the difference? Surely if I’m advised to stay away from sugary snacks I should also stay away from fruit? Fruit delivers energy in a nutrient dense package. You get more dietary benefits from the caloric intake in fresh fruits than you do in a can of Coke. Citrus fruits, guava, mangoes and melons contain high levels of vitamin c, and prunes and bananas offer potassium, which play important roles in maintaining a healthy immune system and a regular heartbeat, respectively.

Fruit is high in fiber, rich in vitamins, low in fat and fairly low on calories, so it is for good reason that fruit is generally thought to be a healthy food, but is it possible that too much fruit can lead to weight gain?

As with any food no matter how healthy, eating too much fruit can lead to weight gain. Although it is a healthy food with a vast array of nutritional benefits, fruit still contains calories. If you eat more calories than you burn with exercise, you are likely to gain weight, so if the calories are coming from healthy, nutritious sources such as fruit, they can still contribute to weight gain.

Not all fruit is created equal. Fruit is divided by their GI value (i.e. how quickly they release sugar into the blood stream) and it’s a good idea to stick to fruit with a lower value such as the list below:

• Strawberries

• Blueberries

• Raspberries

• Blackberries

• Apples

• Pears

• Grapefruit

Fruits with a higher GI value we recommend eating in moderation, and maybe best eaten before/after a workout as they have a higher sugar content, and therefore, raise blood sugar levels quickly:

• Bananas

• Melon

• Mango

• Pineapple

Aim for no more than 2 portions of fruit a day, if you are trying to lose weight.

Fruit is packed with nutrients, has a high water content that makes it filling, and contains fiber. In moderation, fruit is an excellent choice as a healthy source of carbohydrates.

We already know your next questions…. What about dried fruit?! Well, that’s a whole different blog!