Weight loss can get hard sometimes. It is such a debate that never comes to an end. Everyone has their reasons or goals for their weight loss decision and journey.
No matter how many techniques are found and plans made, things remain controversial and the data is never enough. Something very similar is the case with fruits.
The variety offered and the benefits are all different. They are everywhere and recommended to all. Seasonal and ripe fruits[1] top the charts for all things possible.
People consume them for different reasons. For some it’s nutrition and for some it’s taste. The interesting fact is that both topics are interrelated.
Fruits are a great weight loss companion. The factors on which weight loss will largely depend are the time, type, and amount of consumption.
We will cover all these essential questions in this article.
Why Are Fruits Recommended For Weight Loss?
They have enzymes that will improve digestion[2]. This will aid in weight loss. They can keep you full for a long time which reduces the intake of food.
They are good for the gut. They have the right amount of nutrients in them. There is a chance that they will prevent dehydration due to their water content.
Their sugar level is also not high enough to cause any health issues.
Which Fruits Can Help In Weight Loss?
Though all fruits are healthy, easy to digest, and have their benefits, some of them can help speed up your weight loss journey.
If you follow a healthy calorie-restricted diet, work out, and eat fruits rather than starving, you will get better and healthy results.
Even if you do not have time for a good workout, just the right amount of fruits will help you lose weight.
Mango
This sweet fruit, when ripe, is an excellent tasting fruit. But, it is not just the taste but rather its benefits that make it so special.
Several studies[3] have shown it has vitamin K, C, B, E, and A. They strengthen immunity. It has the enzyme amylase which helps in better digestion. Mango also lowers cholesterol due to the presence of pectin.
It has fat suppression qualities, so it aids in fat loss. It is perfect for smoothies or can be added to your fruit mix bowl. It is always better to grab some slices of a ripe mango.
Along with weight loss, it provides some water content, gives the skin a healthy touch, lowers the risk of cancer, improves eyesight, and a lot more.
Papaya
Yet another sweet fruit that helps in weight loss is papaya, states the studies[4] conducted on this fruit.
It has papain which is great for digestion and fat loss. It detoxifies the body and keeps your hunger in control as it boosts satiety.
The high fiber and water content help in reducing fat. Providing all that benefits, it has a very low calory count which is the ideal situation for weight loss.
The detoxification helps the body to get rid of unwanted substances, which further improves weight loss.It even reduces bad cholesterol and has vitamin C and A. It has lots of health benefits related to both men and women.
Apple
As two of the requirements for weight loss are high fiber and low calories, they fulfill both perfectly. It helps to satisfy hunger and thus reduce food intake.
Additionally, the polyphenols present in it promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Several apple diet plans[5] are available on the internet.
But to begin with, it’s just enough to consume a couple of slices of any sort you wish to consume. They have a low amount of sugar and even manage cholesterol.Watermelon
As the name suggests, it has high water content and tastes great. Since the majority portion of its weight is water, you do not have to worry about calories.
It provides[6] very few calories in comparison to other fruits. It can have a cooling effect in the hot summers.
There are no saturated fats in watermelons, which makes them perfect for weight loss. They may be sweet but they are not high in sugar.
Watermelon also contains the amino acid citrulline, which improves blood circulation. Furthermore, it has vitamins A and C, potassium, and magnesium which all help to keep the body healthy.
Its juice is very refreshing and so is a bowl of freshly chopped watermelon.Banana
Unlike the seasonal feast, they are available throughout the year. So you don’t have to work hard adjusting your diet plans according to the fruits every season.
Something special about this one is that it takes as long as 4 hours to be digested. This is due to the presence of indigestible fibers[7].
They also block the absorption of carbs, which induces weight loss. Since it takes a lot of time to be digested, it keeps you full.
So any chances of overeating are eliminated. They offer a very low-calorie count and provide an abundance of vitamins.Guava
Just like bananas, you’ll get them all year round. They are a good combination of fibers and proteins. One serving offers very limited calories and a good amount of fiber.
They[8] help improve digestion. Naturally, high protein low calorie foods are good for weight loss. It has a very low amount of sugar and is safe for diabetes patients as well.
Finally, they regulate metabolism. Taking care of oral health along with reaching nutrition goals, they are perfect for your weight loss journey.Orange
This citrus fruit fits in very well and its juicy taste is very refreshing. They are a great source of vitamin C.
Oranges boost weight loss as they have low calory and high water content. They keep you full and promote[9] bowel movements.Moreover, they contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 1-2 glasses of orange juice are good enough for a day. You can also peel an orange or slice it.
Berries
You can grab raspberries, cranberries, or strawberries as per choice. These berries have proven[10] benefits.
They help in weight loss due to the presence of soluble fibers which keep you full. The first thing you do by eating berries is cut down the calories.
Along with that, you get vitamin C. They can replace unhealthy snacks and keep you going without feeling hungry.
When To Eat Fruits?
The idealistic time would be in the morning. You can eat some fruits before your breakfast for a fresh start.
Keep in mind that you should only eat sweet fruits like mangoes or bananas in the morning. Avoid acidic and semi acidic fruits in the morning.
For eating acidic and semi-acidic fruits, the afternoon should be fine. An hour before your lunch is a great time to have some fruits as that will reduce hunger and hence the food intake.
After lunch, you can have fruits before tea time to enjoy some healthy snacking.
When To Avoid Eating Fruits?
Do not consume fruits with meals. The reason behind this is that any food takes time for digestion. If you combine fruits with the meals, there is low to no absorption of the fruits and you don’t get the benefits.
They can also stay there in the stomach undigested and cause issues. Also, avoid taking fruits in the evening or at night. Even Ayurveda doesn’t suggest eating fruits at night.
People having very weak digestion and diabetes should stay away from certain fruits. Ask your doctor for better insights.
People with weak digestion can consume some steamed fruits. However, some of the nutrients do get wasted.
It is also not advised to eat fruits in a keto diet because they hinder ketosis. However, some fruits like avocado and watermelon are exceptions.
How Much Fruit Should You Consume Everyday?
When aiming at weight loss, consider eating anywhere between 100-400 g of fruits per day. It can be divided into 3-4 servings.
In general, two cups should be fine.
How To Consume Fruits For Weight Loss?
Consider avoiding juice and smoothies. Try eating the whole fruit. Smoothies and juices are fine but they should be consumed once a week.
For daily intake, eat the whole fruit. Avoid adding salt or mixing the fruits. If you can eat them separately, it will be a great thing, to begin with.
But if you are inclined towards the fruit mix, try it with the sweet fruits. Do not mix melons or any other acidic fruit.
Do not fall for those shiny spotless fruits as they can be a storehouse of chemicals and artificially ripened. Better choose little dull looking fruits with spots.
It is a sign of natural ripening. It is better to opt for local and seasonal fruits. If you choose otherwise, the ones coming from overseas are plucked unripe for export purposes and then sprayed or dusted with chemicals.
This is unlikely to give benefits. Consume freshly cut fruits. Do not cut and store them as it may affect the nutrition and you will end up eating oxidised fruits and missing the benefits.
Conclusion
It is well known that fruits are important for a healthy diet and can improve the lifestyle. They can be eaten for different benefits and are an excellent replacement for unhealthy snacks.
They are nearly good to go for everyone and have no major side effects except in the case of allergy or weak digestion. They are also full of nutrients.
Their benefit is not limited to weight loss. They are a great way to nurture your whole body. It is a myth that fruits are unhealthy for you.
They might have sugar but they are generally healthy when combined with digestive enzymes and water content which prevent side effects.
So now you can enjoy some healthy fruits between meals to speed up the weight loss process without feeling the need of starving yourself.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed researches, academic and medical institution studies.
- Monica L. Bertoia, Kenneth J. Mukamal, Leah E. Cahill, et. al. Changes in Intake of Fruits and Vegetables and Weight Change in United States Men and Women Followed for Up to 24 Years: Analysis from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. PLoS Med. 2015 Sep; 12(9): e1001878. Published online 2015 Sep 22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001878.
- Mark L. Dreher. Whole Fruits and Fruit Fiber Emerging Health Effects. Nutrients. 2018 Dec; 10(12): 1833. Published online 2018 Nov 28. doi: 10.3390/nu10121833.
- Marianna Lauricella, Sonia Emanuele, Giuseppe Calvaruso, Michela Giuliano, and Antonella D’Anneo. Multifaceted Health Benefits of Mangifera indica L. (Mango): The Inestimable Value of Orchards Recently Planted in Sicilian Rural Areas. Nutrients. 2017 May; 9(5): 525. Published online 2017 May 20. doi: 10.3390/nu9050525.
- Phichittra Od-Ek, Wanwisa Deenin, Wachirawadee Malakul, Ittipon Phoungpetchara, Sakara Tunsophon. Anti-obesity effect of Carica papaya in high-fat diet fed rats. Biomed Rep. 2020 Oct; 13(4): 30. Published online 2020 Jul 31. doi: 10.3892/br.2020.1337.
- Sedigheh Asgary, Ali Rastqar, Mahtab Keshvari. Weight Loss Associated With Consumption of Apples: A Review. J Am Coll Nutr. Sep-Oct 2018;37(7):627-639. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1447411. Epub 2018 Apr 9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29630462/.
- Tiffany Lum, Megan Connolly, Amanda Marx, et al. Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2019 Mar; 11(3): 595. Published online 2019 Mar 12. doi: 10.3390/nu11030595.
- Katherine M. Phillips, Ryan C. McGinty, Garret Couture, et. al. Dietary fiber, starch, and sugars in bananas at different stages of ripeness in the retail market. PLoS One. 2021; 16(7): e0253366. Published online 2021 Jul 8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253366
- Suchitra Kumari, R Rakavi, Manaswini Mangaraj. Effect of Guava in Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile in Healthy Human Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Sep; 10(9): BC04–BC07. Published online 2016 Sep 1. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/21291.8425.
- E. Azzini,* E. Venneria, D. Ciarapica, et al. Effect of Red Orange Juice Consumption on Body Composition and Nutritional Status in Overweight/Obese Female: A Pilot Study. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017; 2017: 1672567. Published online 2017 Mar 20. doi: 10.1155/2017/1672567.
- Patrick M. Solverson, William V. Rumpler, Jayme L. Leger, et al. Blackberry Feeding Increases Fat Oxidation and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Males. Nutrients. 2018 Aug; 10(8): 1048. Published online 2018 Aug 9. doi: 10.3390/nu10081048.
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Otella has an experience of around eight years of writing about health and nutrition-related topics. She is a full-time mother and a housewife, and the time she has left after doing her mother and household duties is spent writing for Working for Health as a full-time writer. Her life goal is to raise both her boys into a gentleman, and at the same time, she wants to educate people on how to keep themselves fit by tweaking their daily diet.