Today I just have a little advice for those of you who are attempting to convert your diet over to Paleo. That advice is to make sure you eat your fruit. I’m not admonishing you to get your food pyramid number of servings of fruit, but rather to actually eat your fruit.

One of the hurdles that people often have when kicking the sugar addiction is being used to drinking empty calories. While you are to be applauded if you give up soda, don’t just replace that Coke with a glass of orange juice. Slick advertising will tell you that you’re making a “healthy” choice going to get a smoothie from Robek’s/Jamba Juice/etc., but it’s quite the contrary. Going by the nutritional info available at their sites, the smoothie with the least sugar at Jamba JuiceĀ  (Peach Perfection 12oz.) packs more sugar than a 12oz. can of Coke! Now you may argue that it’s fruit and therefore healthier than the HFCS in soda, and that is partially true. However, you will still wreak havoc on your insulin levels by introducing that much sugar in a single setting. This will leave you hungrier and craving more sugar in no time at all. Compare that to if you would have actually eaten an orange, where the fiber and flesh of the fruit would cause much more satiety.

Additionally, you should strive to eat a hunk of protein at each snack or meal. Most of these smoothies are devoid of any substantial amount, and the protein “add-ins” the shops offer are laughable. Also beware of the Naked Juice line of drinks as even their offerings with protein are sky high in sugars. When reviewing their nutritional info, pay close attention to the notation that each bottle is supposed to be TWO servings. It’s not very often someone drinks less than the whole bottle in a single setting. Likewise, the nutritional info most prominently given for the smoothie chains is for a 12oz. size that many locations do not even offer! The common “regular” size is a 24oz. with a larger 32oz. (or greater) also being sold. Doing the math, you can see the astronomical amount of sugars people are consuming when they get this allegedly healthy drink.

So while it can be argued that our theoretical Grok could have juiced an orange, it is highly unlikely that the Paleo man would have thrown away so much of the fruit. Keep that in mind and make sure to eat, rather than drink, your fruit. It will keep you fuller and help avoid overconsumption. In return, your insulin levels will be at a much more manageable level and help you to reap the benefits of following a Paleo diet.


WOD 09.27.10

Back Squat 3×5

5 rounds for time:

  • 3 Power Cleans (70-75% Clean 1RM)
  • 5 HIGH Box Jumps

7 Responses to “Eat Your Fruit”

Anna
September 27, 2010 at 9:23 AM

Do those juicer machines strip the nutrients? The ones taht you pass the whole fruit/vegetable through and they just grind them up…

Scott
September 27, 2010 at 9:40 AM

Is anyone running the Manhattan Beach 10k on Saturday? Michelle and I are both running it.

For anyone new to South Bay, the MB10k is a really fun community activity. It’s part of the Hometown Fair this coming weekend. About 4,000 people run each year. It’s a winding course that starts in downtown, winds north, then south, then north to Rosecrans, then west to The Strand, and then straight south to the pier.

Last year Michelle raced down The Strand with one of her students who was horrified that his teacher almost beat him. You can also ask Michelle about how she almost be me last year too!!

If you’re interested, you can find info at mb10k.com. Online registration is closed, but you can still register in person at the Village Runner.

Marcus
September 27, 2010 at 9:58 AM

@Anna — You’ll still get most if not all of the vitamins after using a juicer. The problem is that it’s far too easy to overconsume when you can throw in 3 apples, 2 oranges and a banana to make a single glass of juice. That’s a whopping amount of sugars in a single setting, which you would almost never eat if you were consuming the whole fruit.

Brian
September 27, 2010 at 11:08 AM

Thats why i only drink 1 screwdriver pitcher and NOT 2… gotta watch the sugar intake.

Drew
September 27, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Good news, Yahoo! News greens lights HFCS-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/6-biggest-lies-about-food-busted-2391419

I’ll bring a 2 liter of Pepsi to class tonight if someone will bring some Trix and milk!

Drew

Drew
September 27, 2010 at 11:17 AM

*green (oops) I was so excited to share this great news I didn’t proof read.

Drew

Xuan
September 27, 2010 at 2:33 PM

Steph! I need your help with my right shoulder/arm. Are you available tomorrow afternoon? I tried calling the business number listed online but not sure it works. Having issues with Facebook on my Droid too! I also emailed you, but figured I would cover my bases by posting here.

If any other Intrepids talk to Steph can you please let her know I’m trying to get in touch. Thanks!