I have an intolerance for absolutists. Words and phrases -"never", "always", "do it this way" or "don't do it this way" - are a big part of their vocabulary. I especially get rattled when these sort of blanket comments are coming from an expert.
Recently, a friend came to me and asked why her Doctor would tell her, when discussing her nutritional approach to solving her current health crisis, "Don't eat fruit - especially watermelon!".
......... What?
I am sure there was more to this discussion than that one statement - but what my friend took away from the conversation was - "DON'T EAT FRUIT!" In one short sentence this Doctor just demonized an entire food group - and a particular fruit - for a very complex problem. My friend wasn't given any further explanation except, "they are too high in sugar!".
Too high in Sugar? If this is the Doctors concern why not say, "don't eat sugar!". Don't eat cakes, pies, doughnuts, candy bars or Apple Fritters;) Don't add table sugar or flavored syrups to your coffee. Don't drink sodas or concentrated fruit juices. In general, don't add processed sugars to your diet.
What is this evil sugar in Watermelon?
Fructose The sugar in fruit is known as fructose. Fructose and other sugars are carbohydrates and supply energy to the body. Accompanying this energy found in fruit, some vegetables, honey and other plants are a lot of great nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals, water and many chemical compounds yet to be discovered by science.
This is not a food group to dismiss.
If you want to know more about fructose, click here.
A Medical Reason to Abstain from Fruit Is there a medical reason that someone should not eat fruit? According to the Mayo Clinic website they mention that fruit should be avoided if you have a Fructose Intolerance.
It is important to note that "fructose intolerance" is a general term that describes two possible conditions:
Hereditary fructose intolerance, a rare genetic disorder. People with hereditary fructose intolerance lack an enzyme that breaks down fructose. This is a serious disorder that can lead to liver and kidney damage.
Fructose malabsorption, a digestive disorder. People with fructose malabsorption have difficulty digesting fructose. This is a less serious disorder because it doesn't result in liver or kidney damage. But it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
So, unless you have been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder or, have unbelievable gas, I think you are O.K. to eat fruit.
I have an intolerance for absolutists. Words and phrases -"never", "always", "do it this way" or "don't do it this way" - are a big part of their vocabulary. I especially get rattled when these sort of blanket comments are coming from an expert.
Recently, a friend came to me and asked why her Doctor would tell her, when discussing her nutritional approach to solving her current health crisis, "Don't eat fruit - especially watermelon!".
......... What?
I am sure there was more to this discussion than that one statement - but what my friend took away from the conversation was - "DON'T EAT FRUIT!" In one short sentence this Doctor just demonized an entire food group - and a particular fruit - for a very complex problem. My friend wasn't given any further explanation except, "they are too high in sugar!".
Too high in Sugar? If this is the Doctors concern why not say, "don't eat sugar!". Don't eat cakes, pies, doughnuts, candy bars or Apple Fritters;) Don't add table sugar or flavored syrups to your coffee. Don't drink sodas or concentrated fruit juices. In general, don't add processed sugars to your diet.
What is this evil sugar in Watermelon?
Fructose
The sugar in fruit is known as fructose. Fructose and other sugars are carbohydrates and supply energy to the body. Accompanying this energy found in fruit, some vegetables, honey and other plants are a lot of great nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals, water and many chemical compounds yet to be discovered by science.
This is not a food group to dismiss.
If you want to know more about fructose, click here.
A Medical Reason to Abstain from Fruit
Is there a medical reason that someone should not eat fruit? According to the Mayo Clinic website they mention that fruit should be avoided if you have a Fructose Intolerance.
It is important to note that "fructose intolerance" is a general term that describes two possible conditions:
Hereditary fructose intolerance, a rare genetic disorder. People with hereditary fructose intolerance lack an enzyme that breaks down fructose. This is a serious disorder that can lead to liver and kidney damage.
Fructose malabsorption, a digestive disorder. People with fructose malabsorption have difficulty digesting fructose. This is a less serious disorder because it doesn't result in liver or kidney damage. But it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
So, unless you have been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder or, have unbelievable gas, I think you are O.K. to eat fruit.