to think fruit can't be all that bad.

[manicinsomniac]

I feel like we're in danger of branding fruit as the next 'evil-food-that-must-be-avoided'!

I see and hear so many comments (not just on here) on the lines of:
'fruit should be an occasional treat'
'sugar is sugar'
'a zero sugar diet is best'
'your body can't tell the difference between an apple and haribo.'
'limit fruit and eat as much veg as you can'
'low carbing is the best kind of diet to follow and fruits are really high in carbs'

etc.

Is fruit the new bread? (another low fat, previously thought of as healthy food that has been a British staple for centuries).

I'm already scared of most foods, I feel like I don't have the time or the energy to obsess over fruit as well (apart from bananas and avocados).

I know it has very little protein and it doesn't keep you full for long but it's healthy ... right? There's not need to limit it ... is there?

Funnily enough, obesity levels have been increasing since the early 80s, which was the same point in time that we also being advised to cut the levels of fat in our diet, and to eat more fruit.

It was also the same point in time that McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut became popular...not to mention the introduction of fast food delivered to our doors.

The late 80's/early 90's saw far less children playing in the streets/parks without their parents.

Then the 90's/2000+ saw a massive boom in games console sales and the internet.

YANBU at all OP. I was a child of the 70's where there was always fruit in the bowl at home. Nearly all dinners were cooked from scratch and sweets/crisps were once a week on my Dad's pay day.

If (and I do stress if) we snacked, it was from the fruit bowl as I don't even remember supermarkets (what few there were) selling multi bags of crisps/chocolate etc...and if we were hungry before bed we'd have a small bowl of cereal or a piece of toast.

I don't think fruit is the big baddy of the snacking world. I actually think more people should use it as a snack, instead of all the other crap we tend to see as normal now.

I was a child of the 70's, I ate as many sweets crisps cakes and puddings as I could get my hands on, and hated all fruit and veg.

I'm not really sure what my point is but I don't remember my diet as being all that healthy, I was slim then and still am but my diet is far better as an adult.

I think one problem is that past a certain level of adiposity things spiral out of control.

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and as it enlarges its secretions become disordered such that (for instance) appetite and insulin resistance increase.

A positive feedback loop is created whereby being fat makes you get even fatter.

manic. I would add honey and a little wine to your list.
Other than that, and because of what you have been through, I would stick with what you are doing. I think that you are doing well.

"obesity levels have been increasing since the early 80s, which was the same point in time that we also being advised to cut the levels of fat in our diet, and to eat more fruit."

Correlation is not causation.

That was also when the first computers came into people's homes.

I do actually know that, Cote. Thanks for being so patronising.

Nevertheless, it is true about obesity levels rising at the same time as fat consumption has been falling.

Saying "correlation is not causation" is patronizing now?

I trust you when you say that there is correlation, but it still doesn't mean there is correlation.

I don't know why you say you understand the difference and still insist on the correlation as if it means something.

Whatever.

Of course fruit is not evil. By eating a healthy range of fruit every day you are giving your body essential nutrients which help reduce chances of all types of diseases.

Your body does know the difference between a haribo and fruit what a bizzare thing to say. Your body needs the natural nutrition it gets from fruit it does not need the human produced chemicals from sweets.

I just try and balance it so that out of five a day (not that we particularly count them) it would be more veg than fruit.

I also view juice as a treat now rather than an always-got-some-in-the-fridge type thing. Pretty much just drink water at home.

It isn't bad. However, eating it constantly/ giving it to dc when they refuse meals because you believe it to be 'healthy' is misguided.

Fruit has lots of goodness but so do most natural foods.

This sugar is the enemy is just the latest craze. Next week it will be something else.

Anyway, according to Horizon it is the combination of fat and sugar that is bad for you. Not sugar or fat on their own.

That Horizon programme was a really dreadful example of how not do science. How on earth could findings based on two people be conclusive?

I thought the horizon program concluded that the combination of equal parts sugar and fat was especially addictive/ a trigger for compulsive eating?

(I agree it was a silly program)

I know just by the way I feel after eating fruit or sweets that the fruit is inherently better for me. I just feel crap when I eat sweets, chocolate, cake, biscuits. It would take a fair bit of fruit to feel anything like as bad.

Fruit is healthy. Full of nutrients, fibre and it's not processed. Eats lots of it, but don't eat ridiculous amounts. Several various pieces a day is fine. Eat vegetables as well.

I wouldn't bother with juice. Expensive and bad for the teeth.

BIWI - I meant to say:

"I trust you when you say that there is correlation, but it still doesn't mean there is correlation causation."

Sorry if that was confusing.

I hate fruit. Kind of glad to not be subject to the incessant messaging to eat it. The only time I enjoy fruit is if I eat it with meat. e.g. pork with apples, gammon with pineapple, grapes with ham, etc.. I don't have a weight problem and have lots of energy, but I'd far rather eat vegetables, especially lentils and pulses.

I liked the Horizon program actually. I think the conclusion re.processed foods was interesting. I watch a lot of the super skinny type programs and am always intrigued how the very large people had become very large, and one food always comes up again and again.

Takeaways.

The perfect combination of fats and sugars with little protein and fibre.

I used to be a real advocate for low carb, but nowadays not do much. I eat bread, I eat butter, I eat lots of vegetables and some fruit. I don't eat processed foods or sweets or crisis or takeaways or chocolates. I think that's how I manage to stay an average weight.

I make my own bread btw.