Is it okay if I only eat veggies and fruit and nothing else? – Ramlo
Yes, but only for short periods of time (e.g. several days), but not more than about 2 weeks. Eating only fruits and vegetables just can’t give you enough of the vitamins, minerals and energy you need to thrive since they are so dilute and fibrous. A diet exclusively of fruit and vegetables would equate to 5 to 10 pounds per day (2# for dried fruit, 20# for only veggies) to meet energy needs yet be devoid of omega-3 fat, zinc and vitamin B-12 just to name a few.
Is it possible for me to eat too many vegetables?
You’d be on a better path if corn, potatoes, olives, avocados and coconuts are among your produce as these are rich sources of complex carbohydrate and fats. But still you’ll need a substantial amount of other foods to get adequate B-vitamins, protein and minerals that your body requires on a regular basis.
How much produce is too much, if I am trying to gain weight?
Now, if you count all types of edible plant matter including tubers, fungi, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, then adding these to your fruits and vegetables for an all-plant diet it is okay. Vegan diets can be nutritionally adequate if planned well. Hey, even algae (seaweed) and cyanobacteria (spirulina) can join your plate – why not? They’re green and not technically animals.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
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