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~Sweet fruits run the gamut
from melons to dried fruit. They all taste sweet and tend to fall into four (not
distinctly defined) groups: melons, subacid, acid, and sweet. These are the fruits
typically referred to when someone speaks of eating fruit. ~ Vegetable
fruits include tomatoes, okra, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and eggplant (aubergine).
Botanically, these foods are all fruits, as the seeds are inside. They do not
provide the simple carbohydrates that sweet fruits do; hence we have difficulty
accessing sufficient calories from eating them. ~ Fatty fruits are true
fruits, but they provide more fat than most fruits (all fruits provide some fat).
Avocados, olives, and to a lesser extent durian, are examples of fatty fruits. (The
first two average three-quarters or more fat, and durian is about one-quarter fat,
measuring by calories.)
Fruits come closer to meeting our nutritional
needs, on every level, than any other group of foods. However, if you try to eat
only fruit for months at a stretch, you will gradual run low on certain vital
minerals. These minerals are best provided via the consumption of tender green leafy
vegetables. I recommend that people consume about 1 to 3% of their total calories in
the form on greens. For most men, that equates to almost a pound of greens per day,
on average, less for an average woman.
Often, a person will embark
upon an all-fruit program and feel quite well. Their mistake is making a long-term
decision based upon a short-term experiment. We would expect anyone who reduces the
fat content of their diet by eating more fruit to feel better initially. High
carbohydrates and low fat in the diet suits us extremely well. However,
under mineralization takes a subsequent toll on their health. When health problems
finally do hit overzealous fruitarians, they often respond to the problem by eating
more fruit. Picture a man in a lifeboat who has succumbed to drinking seawater.
After drinking the seawater, he will get even thirstier. Drinking even more seawater
will only exacerbate the problem.
Consuming young tender greens does
not have to be a daily part of one's lifestyle. When plain lettuce or celery sounds
and tastes appealing, you can be sure that you are ready for some greens. Many
people find that after eating fruit for a few days or weeks that greens are really a
welcome treat.
It is important for me to stress that health is not
created by, nor does it hinge exclusively upon, the consumption of healthy food.
Health requires a full-spectrum approach, and one's health can only be as good as
your weakest lifestyle link.
A varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and
a moderate amount of nuts and seeds tends to result in the best of health and
nutrition. Whole, fresh, ripe, raw, organic plants are the most healthful for us.
While simplicity at mealtime usually provides the conditions required for ideal
digestion, variety in the diet over time yields optimum nutrition. Optimum health
also cannot be achieved without including a daily fitness program. We are designed
to be fit, and without fitness activities our consumption of foods must be
minimized. Hence, nutrition is compromised. The rhythmic motion of many fitness
activities enhances the peristaltic action of the intestines, helping to move food
along for optimum digestion.
In closing, I would strongly recommend
against the 100% fruitarian experiment. I do believe that eating the fruit of the
season is a good program. In mango season, for example, mangos predominate heavily
in my diet. In persimmon season, I will make many a meal of just persimmon. Some
days I eat fruit only, for sure. Overall, however, I eat about a pound of greens per
day, and recommend that young tender greens, or shoots, comprise about 2% of your
total caloric intake.
Excerpt taken from The 80/10/10
Diet by Dr. Douglas Graham
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