Could a high sugar or fruit diet be healthy?

There’s been recent hype around a diet approach that’s reaching new audiences with some interesting results. The Sugar Diet.

Now, we’d like to say first that perhaps the word ‘diet’, meaning a long term sustained food in-take, is not what we’re talking about. But rather a short term protocol for specific purposes.

First, let’s talk about the new wave of interest in what’s being called the Sugar Diet. The main claim is that a high sugar diet, such as from fruits and even processed foods and candies, devoid of other energy sources, is a way lose excess fat incredibly quickly! Now doesn’t that sound counter to what we’ve often heard for many years? And yet, many posters on social medias are claiming such. And that their energy levels feel stable. So if they are eating tons of sugar why are they losing weight instead of gaining weight?

One speculation is that somehow the combination of concentrated sugar sources with high fat and high protein foods eaten together is what causes the body to retain more fat and suffer reduced metabolic health. One Youtuber, Timothy Berzins, of Amplified Vitality, claims that in a study that analyzed the carbons in liver fats to determine their source, found that the fats were not derived from fructose, one of the main sugars we consume. He says that rather fructose is causing the liver to absorb more of the fatty acids in the blood stream which would be higher after eating a more fat rich food source and therefor cause excessive fat retention. If fat intake was low overall perhaps the body is just metabolizing it instead of storing it.

This matches my own experience when fruit fasting, which I have done over 10 times at periods ranging from about 2 - 5 days over the last 15 years or so. Even when eating ample or surplus calories, I lost fat quickly. I’ve also seen this happen with many people and even heard the statement, “You can eat as much fruit as possible, and you would not gain weight.”

Eating sufficient calories on a fruit diet is not hard at all by the way. Fruits digest and move through the body quickly, and even stimulate apetite so it’s enjoyable to eat often. Some people might not enjoy the initial phase though because of the ‘cleansing’ effects of the high water/fiber substrate making you go the bathroom more frequently. A day or two into it though you can feel wonderfully hydrated and more regular. Here’s some common Thai fruits we love and how much you would need to eat to make a 2,000 calorie daily intake.

🥭 1 large mango (350g)210 kcal

🍌 4 bananas (500g)450 kcal

🍍 1/2 medium pineapple (500g)250 kcal

🥥 1 whole young coconut (meat + water)150 kcal

🍉 Watermelon1 big wedge (1.2 kg)360 kcal

🥭 Durian300g flesh (about 1 cup)450 kcal

See, not hard at all really, and in fact, you would probably eat more and not feel that you overate!

More relevant for my personal health, since excess weight and weight loss was not my reason for these fruit feasts, is the effects for the metabolic and immune systems and the overall cleansing that seems to occur. My experience was of feeling clear minded, light and energized with greater ease to move my full range, remarkably less inflammation and discomfort, and a sense of vibrancy.

Is this a long term diet for human health? No, of course not. While fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and more beneficial nutrients, and can help you optimize your internal chemistry and metabolism, the body, like all living systems, has seasons, and patterns, with different needs at different times for the best balance for life. As we can see, various kinds of diets seem to have positive health implications when undertaken for moderate periods of time, and that a best general diet is to have representation of various food groups, though perhaps, eaten separately for best effect.

At The Source Koh Phangan we offer such a diet plan on our Yoga and wellness nature retreats, and Jim, our founder, has led many people through cleansing protocols to rejuvenate the body and spirit by fruit fasting, herbs, and colonics. It’s something I’ve also supported people through since my early years as a Yoga teacher working at New Body and Mind on Koh Samui back in 2009.

Would you like to to lose weight, get fit, enjoy nature, and discover Yoga and meditation in a tropical paradise, enjoying these fruits? Join us on our retreats at The Source Koh Phangan!