Fruitarianism

Fruitarianism is a strict form of vegan diet that is limited to eating the ripe fruits of plants and trees. Fruitarians (frugivores^[1] or fructarians) eat in principle only the fruit of plants.^[2] As with other dietary practices, such as vegetarianism and raw foodism, some people^who? consider themselves fruitarians even if their diet is not 100% fruit. According to these people, as long as the percentage is higher than 50%, they are (predominantly) fruitarian.^[3] Usually fruitarians who include foods other than fruit follow a vegan diet.^[4]

Definitions

Fruitarian definition of fruit

When discussing food, the term "fruit" usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy (for example, plums, apples, and oranges). Botanically, though, some foods not typically considered fruits -- including bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, nuts and grains -- are fruits.^[5]

Definition of fruitarian

Some fruitarians will eat only what falls (or would fall) naturally from a plant, that is: foods that can be harvested without killing the plant. These foods consist primarily of culinary fruits, nuts, and seeds.^[6] Some do not eat grains, believing it is unnatural to do so,^[7] and some fruitarians feel that it is improper for humans to eat seeds.^[8] Others believe they should eat only plants that spread seeds when the plant is eaten.^[9] Others eat seeds and some cooked foods.^[10]

Some fruitarians use the botanical definitions of fruits and consume pulses,^[11] while others include green leafy vegetables^[12] and/or root vegetables in their diet. Some occasionally consume some dairy products as well.

Motivation

Some fruitarians believe fruitarianism was the original diet of mankind in the form of Adam and Eve based on Genesis 1:29.^[13] They believe that a return to an Eden-like paradise will require simple living and a holistic approach to health and diet.^[14] Some fruitarians wish to avoid killing in all its forms, including plants.^[15]

Some fruitarians say that eating some types of fruit does the parent plant a favor and that fleshy fruit has evolved to be eaten by animals, to achieve seed dispersal.^[16] Fruit seeds passed in feces may sprout in a pile of ready-made fertilizer, encouraging proliferation of the plant,^{citation needed} but only if one defecates outside, which is not done in most modern industrialized societies. Fruit cores or pits, however, will be tossed aside to sprout too near the parent plant to gain any benefit.^{citation needed}

According to Herbert Shelton, the founder of Natural Hygiene, "fruits are also appealing to man's visual, olfactory and gustatory senses"^[17].

Ben Klassen, founder of the Creativity Movement, stated that, based on scientific study of anatomical structure and human races, fruitarianism is the only natural diet for humans. All other diets, he said, "lead to a physical condition which is inferior."^[19]

Criticisms

Vitamin B12, a bacterial product, is not found in any fruits. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health "natural food sources of vitamin B12 are limited to foods that come from animals."^[21] Like vegans that do not consume B12-fortified foods (certain plant milks and breakfast cereals, for example), fruitarians need to include a B12 supplement in their diet. This may pose a health risk for strict fruitarians, as the B12 in fortified foods and supplements is derived from bacteria, not fruits. It is also contrary to the philosophy that humans are perfectly evolved to live off of fruit.

Claims made by fruitarian advocates have lead some to classify the diet as a form of outright quackery.^[22] Many notable advocates of fruitarianism in the past, including Morris Krok,^[23] Johnny Lovewisdom, Walter Siegmeister/Raymond Bernard, and Viktoras Kulvinskas ate considerable quantities of vegetables and occasional cooked foods and vegetables. Others switched to other unorthodox lifestyles (including breatharianism and liquitarianism, juices only), or recommended against the diet once they stopped (Morris Krok^[24]).

Lack of protein in fleshy fruit can make the lifestyle difficult to sustain, and can lead to the condition of hypoproteinemia or kwashiorkor. Nuts (if included) are a good source of protein. Due to the lower digestibility of plant proteins, however, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) states "protein needs might be higher than the RDA (when) dietary protein sources are mainly those that are less well digested, such as some cereals and legumes."^[25]

The plants bearing the fruit may be killed as part of the process of harvesting the fruit.^{citation needed}

Famous fruitarians

Fictional

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