Eating only fruits and no vegetables is not ideal in the long run. Here are some key reasons why it’s important to incorporate both fruits and vegetables into your diet:
– Vegetables provide different nutrients than fruits – Vegetables are typically lower in sugar and provide a wider array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Things like leafy greens have nutrients not found in fruits.
– Fiber – The fiber in vegetables helps regulate digestion and promotes gut health. Fruits have fiber, but vegetables contain a wider variety.
– Balanced nutrition – Fruits and veggies complement each other. Together they provide a diversity of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds important for health.
– Vegetables have phytochemicals with unique health benefits – For example, lycopene in tomatoes and sulforaphane in broccoli have anti-cancer effects. These are largely absent from fruits.
– Vegetables help balance fruit sugars – The natural sugars in fruit can spike blood sugar. Eating vegetables helps manage glycemic response.
– Satiety – Vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts are more filling. This can help manage hunger and portions.
For the best nutrition, it’s recommended to get 2-3 servings of vegetables for every 1 serving of fruit.
While fruit-based diets aren’t unsafe short-term, lacking vegetables long-term raises risks of nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, uncontrolled blood sugar, and chronic disease.
For optimal health, be sure to eat a rainbow of vegetables along with moderate amounts of nutritious fruits!
Hope it helps!