A dietitian debunks popular myths about eating fruits
Right now, we are enjoying the widest selection of fresh fruits. The market stalls are overwhelming; everything is tempting, delicious, and colourful. But can we eat them with impunity even if we watch our waistline? Is it true that it’s best to eat them only before noon?
29 July 2024 12:47
It’s often said that fruits are healthy and have many vitamins, but there is one detail. They contain a lot of sugar, especially during a weight loss diet; it’s best to eat them only in the morning meals. Sometimes, there are even extreme opinions that fruits consumed in the evening will "rot" in the stomach and be poorly digested. Is this true? No!
Blame it on fructose
Dr. Damian Parol, fortunately for all fruit lovers, decided to debunk these myths. First, he emphasized that not all fruits should be treated the same way, as they contain different amounts of fructose. Apples, mangoes, and dates have more fructose than citrus fruits, blueberries, and apricots. However, these are still low amounts compared to sweet drinks or candy bars. Dr. Parol also mentions that studies have shown that only 1% of consumed fructose is converted into fatty acids. It would, therefore, be challenging to drink so much that our body fat levels would quickly and noticeably increase.
Time of day doesn’t matter
The dietitian believes that fruits can be eaten at any time of the day and are also beneficial. They have low energy density, so when we need fewer calories in the evening, they can be a perfect choice. Sometimes, some people experience bloating after eating fruits in the afternoon. However, most of us feel good after eating them. Therefore, it's better to take full advantage of the fruit season and not believe in dietary myths.