Fruits and nuts

[bertistic]

Hello there,

I have a question about the program rules. I know that fruits, dried fruits, nuts and seeds are allowed to eat. Is it a problem if I have some fruits (1 or 2 depending on the size, I mean like either an apple or 2 small clementines for example) and approximately a handful of nuts, (occasionally) dried fruits with my 3 meals per day? 

For instance I have omelette for breakfast with a lot of veggies AND a fruit and some nut, then again lot of veggies and protein for lunch and dinner, side of a fruit and nuts. (For pictures of the foods find me on Instagram: instagram.com/bertistic ) Is that okay, or should I cut down on these things and stick to the meat and veggie version?   

As for me I don't think these are snacks since I eat them only with my meals, but I don't eat them together. I mean it would be awkward for me to eat broccoli with apples.  I usually don't have snacks between the meals, only in those cases when I do exercises and it's not time yet to eat lunch or dinner, then I have a post workout meal, but otherwise no snacking. 

So what do you think? Is it okay? 
 

[ladyshanny]

The pics look fine to me, if anything the bowls of fruit are pretty large at times but it looks like you have balanced meals.  Just consider whether or not you are using these bowls of fruit/nuts as dessert.  For example, go a week without them and see if you have any cravings, resentment, dissatisfaction with your meal when you don't get to round it out with these fruit bowls.  And of course, never let those fruits push veggies off your plate!

[ultrarunnergirl]

It's ok from the perspective of timing, ie with your meals.

 

Both dried fruit and nuts are in the "limit" category, for a number of reasons.

They are easy to overeat, they can cause bloating and other issues as they are difficult for many people to digest, and they are high calorie as well -- which we are not very concerned with in the grand scheme of things -- you may find they don't align with your goals.

[Carlaccini]

Here is my thought - technically your fruit and nut thing is not off plan, but you might not be helping yourself either.

 

Here is my reasoning:

First of all nuts, and dried fruits are well known gut disrupters for many. So if you are having problems with bloating and constipation - nuts are probably going to be your culprit.  Also it is good to limit nuts to one closed handful every other day.  

 

I also used to have to have a sweet taste in my mouth after every meal - that was my *need to have* top priority. I found not after too long that I did better if I didn't have any fruit in my morning meal as I was noticing that I was still getting sugar crashes.

 

I also mirror LadyShanny's response on weather or not you are using the fruit and nut bowls as dessert replacements.

[bertistic]

Thanks a lot for your answers, very helpful ones!