A Big, Fat, Deadly Lie About Produce

Fruits and vegetables. The phrase sounds innocent enough, and we hear it all the time.

But here’s the problem. It makes them seem as if they’re equal, and they’re not. In fact, fruits always get top billing, which reinforces their healthful status. A status they don’t necessarily deserve.

Here’s another phrase that has become a big, fat, deadly lie in its own right: “5 a day.”

That one comes directly from the superseded Food Guide Pyramid, which called for 3 to 5 servings of vegetables per day and 2 to 4 servings of fruit a day. To simplify, we added together the low values and got 5 a day.

It made it easy to remember, but the problem is what people did with it. And still do. My clients include many sugar addicts and other people who simply don’t like vegetables. These folks are more than happy to get their 5 a day from fruit and leave those yucky veggies behind.

I submit that’s not a good idea – even if I’m the only one saying that.

The problem with fruits is the sugar they contain – fructose. Arguably the most unhealthful sugar around, fructose can cause a variety of health problems. Including, but not limited to, insulin resistance.

This brings us into detail territory, so I’ll save those details for the next post. Be sure not to miss my post on the effects of fructose on our health. You may never say “fruits and vegetables” again!

In the meantime, eat plenty of vegetables – but only a couple of servings of fruit a day.

Source by Joan Kent