What do you think about fruit?

[thex95]

So I personally love using fruit as a source for carbs regardless of if I am cutting or bulking. Its nutrient dense and tastes great. Lately however I am hearing a lot more people now say that the sugars in fruit (fructose) will cause you to gain fat. What do you guys think?

[Bertuzzi]

Personally, I never eat fruit when cutting, I think its a terrible idea. I actually very rarely fruit for any reason

[thex95]

Personally, I never eat fruit when cutting, I think its a terrible idea. I actually very rarely fruit for any reason

I see, is that because of fructose or you just don't like fruit?

[Bertuzzi]

I see, is that because of fructose or you just don't like fruit?

I love fruit... all kinds of fruit, just don't need the sugar. It's something I can easily live without and don't get cravings for. Pizza, on the other hand... now thats a problem for me

[joshh]

this has been asked many times.

from a nutrient point they are very good but they are classed as simple sugars. i personally stay right away from simple sugars, but it's up to you, your diet and your goals

[Times Roman]

Mate,
most of us here avoid simple carbs. fruit may work if pre/post workout if that is what you want to do. all other times, most will say to avoid fruit, which is what I also do.

[jypoll]

yea they should be kept for pre/post workout if possible, but a little bit of fruit with some complex carbs isnt too bad, but not just fruit by itself

i only eat a half banana a day for my fruits and i have that for brekfast with oats

[grumpee]

I eat it with a protein shake and fit it in my macros.

[thex95]

I see I see, so where do you guys get your complex carbs form? Oatmeal, bread, pastas? Whole wheat of course.

[grumpee]

I see I see, so where do you guys get your complex carbs form? Oatmeal, bread, pastas? Whole wheat of course.

sweet potatos, brown rice, rolled oats and fibrious greens are the best....

I have IBS so have a real issue digesting complex carbs. I eat simple carbs instead, white rice and russet potatos mostly and a little instant oats every once in awhile

[Times Roman]

oatmeal, brown rice, yams, sweet potatos......

[spywizard]

i like fruit.. but i hate insulin especially when there is a presense of other calories..

so no.. fruit is not effective in a cutting routine.

[--->>405<<---]

No fruit, no milk while cutting..

Carbs: oatmeal, brn rice, yams.. For me Thats it! Period...

[spywizard]

I see I see, so where do you guys get your complex carbs form? Oatmeal, bread, pastas? Whole wheat of course.

lintels and beans.. with every meal.

[thex95]

Oh nice, I have never had a yam before, I got something new to buy next grocery trip.

[Times Roman]

lintels and beans.. with every meal.

(and don't forget the beano!)

[gbrice75]

IMO, fruit isn't very conducive to a cutting diet. My aim is always to keep sugars as low as possible, and fruit is never going to help with that.

If i'm not cutting, then I try and keep it limited to pre and pwo. For instance, my current preworkout meal includes 1/2 a banana and 1/2 cup blueberries, and my pwo meal includes a small apple. Note however that these are in addition to complex carbs (oats in both cases) and of course, protein.

[thex95]

It seems so counter intuitive to think of fruit as something you don't want to eat to cut. I have just always associated fruit as "healthy" therefore good for you.

I completely understand why it isn't good while cutting, or even really great while bulking due to the sugars and I will critique my diet to accommodate this. It just seems weird to me to think of fruit as something to avoid.

Thanks for all the input!

[Bertuzzi]

I have heard a lot of people talk about fruit post work out but all the research I have done has always said otherwise.... Fructose doesn't convert to glucose which will not convert to glycogen... so fruit itself doesn't make much sense at anytime, although I wouldn't say its harmful.

[gbrice75]

It seems so counter intuitive to think of fruit as something you don't want to eat to cut. I have just always associated fruit as "healthy" therefore good for you.

I completely understand why it isn't good while cutting, or even really great while bulking due to the sugars and I will critique my diet to accommodate this. It just seems weird to me to think of fruit as something to avoid.

Thanks for all the input!

Fruits are healthy in the true sense of the word. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, fiber, and water among other things. But we have to consider relativity. What the average person considers 'healthy' doesn't make it a good choice for people with our goals.

Let's take a male at 25% bodyfat (sadly, probably pretty average these days) - he will probably reach his goals with a proper and consistent diet, even if it contains fruit. Then we look at another male, 12% bodyfat, serious about bodybuilding and wanting to hit low single digits. He will likely have a tougher time reaching his goals with a diet that incorporates fruit.

I have heard a lot of people talk about fruit post work out but all the research I have done has always said otherwise.... Fructose doesn't convert to glucose which will not convert to glycogen... so fruit itself doesn't make much sense at anytime, although I wouldn't say its harmful.

Remember that fruit isn't 100% fructose. As such, it's partially useful in terms of glycogen replenishment for muscle, but mainly replenishes liver glycogen. This is why I'll always have a bit in addition to a good complex carb.

[tall76]

When bulking I have fruit right when I wake up in my first meal or immediate post workout. When cutting I avoid it

[--->>405<<---]

As far as fruit being avoided as counterintuitivr thats exactly how i felt about milk!! I used to drink 2x 20oz glasses everynite with dinner .. And at other times.. I grew up with milk being the beverage of choice with all meals.. U can imagine my dismay when told i had to drop it to cut bf%.. but i wanted to lose fat more than i wanted to drink milk so ...

It is part of every cheat meAl i have at home.. As is sweet tea with lemon if i go out! Go south!! I couldnt imagine livin up there in yankeeland not being able to get my sweet tea with lemon at a restaurant now thats a crime..

[thex95]

As far as fruit being avoided as counterintuitivr thats exactly how i felt about milk!! I used to drink 2x 20oz glasses everynite with dinner .. And at other times.. I grew up with milk being the beverage of choice with all meals.. U can imagine my dismay when told i had to drop it to cut bf%.. but i wanted to lose fat more than i wanted to drink milk so ...

It is part of every cheat meAl i have at home.. As is sweet tea with lemon if i go out! Go south!! I couldnt imagine livin up there in yankeeland not being able to get my sweet tea with lemon at a restaurant now thats a crime..

Oh man I can totally relate to the milk deal! Once again my thought process is just like "milk = health". Then you learn more and more about nutrition and find out about lactose the sugar in milk. Having a strict diet can be a real mind****.

[oatmeal69]

How about skim? Better, as in less lactose, or the same as whole. Was thinking about adding 1 cup a day to my PWO shake...

[thex95]

How about skim? Better, as in less lactose, or the same as whole. Was thinking about adding 1 cup a day to my PWO shake...

The biggest difference in skim and whole is fat content. Skim only has about 1-2 less grams of sugar than 2%. I guess it depends on your goals if you should add it or not. I believe, but I could be wrong that sugars such as lactose and fructose can be beneficial to restore glycogen levels PWO

[gbrice75]

How about skim? Better, as in less lactose, or the same as whole. Was thinking about adding 1 cup a day to my PWO shake...

The biggest difference in skim and whole is fat content. Skim only has about 1-2 less grams of sugar than 2%. I guess it depends on your goals if you should add it or not. I believe, but I could be wrong that sugars such as lactose and fructose can be beneficial to restore glycogen levels PWO

As I said earlier, my goal is to keep sugars as low as possible during a cut. That includes lactose. Having said that, if you MUST have milk, pwo would be the best time IMO. No doubt i'd keep it skim though.

The problem with lactose is we lack the digestive enzyme needed to break it down, hence lactose intolerance. After all, the milk is produced to feed calf's, not humans. Think about it. Kind of weird that we drink it! (for the record - i'm a milk lover) Some people handle it better than others.

Re: the bold - fructose isn't very efficient at restoring muscle glycogen. It mainly works to restore glycogen in the liver.

[thex95]

As I said earlier, my goal is to keep sugars as low as possible during a cut. That includes lactose. Having said that, if you MUST have milk, pwo would be the best time IMO. No doubt i'd keep it skim though.

The problem with lactose is we lack the digestive enzyme needed to break it down, hence lactose intolerance. After all, the milk is produced to feed calf's, not humans. Think about it. Kind of weird that we drink it! (for the record - i'm a milk lover) Some people handle it better than others.

Re: the bold - fructose isn't very efficient at restoring muscle glycogen. It mainly works to restore glycogen in the liver.

OK right on man, thanks for the heads up.

[Revelations]

(and don't forget the beano!)

Yes sir...I added Lentils to my diet and now I'm blowing the house up!!

[Bulkn]

As I said earlier, my goal is to keep sugars as low as possible during a cut. That includes lactose. Having said that, if you MUST have milk, pwo would be the best time IMO. No doubt i'd keep it skim though.

The problem with lactose is we lack the digestive enzyme needed to break it down, hence lactose intolerance. After all, the milk is produced to feed calf's, not humans. Think about it. Kind of weird that we drink it! (for the record - i'm a milk lover) Some people handle it better than others.

Re: the bold - fructose isn't very efficient at restoring muscle glycogen. It mainly works to restore glycogen in the liver.

Ahh fffuuuu! I thought bananas were good at restoring muscle glycogen?
Whats good other than oats (and dextrose ) then?

[gbrice75]

Ahh fffuuuu! I thought bananas were good at restoring muscle glycogen?
Whats good other than oats (and dextrose ) then?

Fruits are not 100% fructose, so they do help with restoring muscle glycogen, but the effects are negligible IMO.

Any carb source is good really - i'm not a fan of simple carbs (insulin spike is unnecessary imo), so I mainly stick with complex:

Oats
Yams and/or Potatoes
Quinoa
Lentils/Beans
Whole Grain Bread and Pasta
Cous Cous
Grits
Rice

etc etc etc - c'mon man, carbs are easy!