Extra Calories and Weight Gain on a High Fruit Diet
I recently received an email from my reader Fiona who asked if it’s possible to gain weight while eating lots of calories from sweet fruit. And we’re talking from 50 to 100% more calories than you need… Fiona’s question resonated with my personal experience and a little experiment I did a couple of months ago. I’m my own guinea pig and I like to test some things on myself. Discover more in this video below.
Video Summary
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It is quite possible to gain weight and put on some fat while eating extra calories from sweet fruit.
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Extra calories can result in a weight gain no matter what’s the source of calories.
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Even a hundred extra calories a day can result in a weight gain of 10 pounds over the course of the year.
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It is always good to know your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and your daily calorie quota based on your physical activity level.
What do YOU think about my experience of weight gain on a high fruit diet? Please share in the comments below! I would love to hear from you! 
4 Responses to “Extra Calories and Weight Gain on a High Fruit Diet”
Fiona on April 26, 2012
This video was so worth watching.
I think this is the fundamental question most people have about this diet – the consumption of a “minimum calories” threshold that applies for everyone. The most common reasoning provided are Thermogenesis, focus on health first not physique (hence that even if you gain first, at the end it “works out” so you lose) etc. I have always wondered about this as logically, it doesn’t make sense that a person of 4 feet and 6 feet (different builds) will require the same minimum amout of calories even if they have all other factors in common.
Regarding less food, I believe Michael Arnstein (The Fruitarian) too has stated that he feels the need for less food now and some people have deduced this could be that your digestion is at such an optimal level after a while of fruit eating that you absorb a higher quantity and quality of nutrition from your intake hence need less.
Keep the videos coming! You have a beautiful smile!
Vlada Divine on April 26, 2012
Dear Fiona,
Thanks for your kind words and info about Michael Arnstein. I agree about the digestive process becoming more efficient — good point!
Erin on April 26, 2012
Thank you for this post!!!! I started off eating aonf 1500 calories and loved my body…. after while and on the advice of certain “experts” I began eating upwards of 2500. I quickly gained weight (10 lbs) and am now struggling to lost it. I have even gone bck to cooked low fat food and am staying away from fruits. I know in the big picture I should have th fruit, however i am so frustrated!
So nice to hear I am not he only one!!!
Vlada Divine on April 26, 2012
Dear Erin,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Interestingly enough, as of now I also find it quite challenging to release that extra fat in my midsection area. Increasing the level of physical activity is always a good idea and it sure helps. Eating fruits that are lower in calories and have a lot of volume (like watermelon) might be a good idea as well since you don’t want to completely eliminate fruit from your diet. I hope you’ll be able to find that “sweet spot” again where you can have your fruit, eat it too and stay as thin as you desire!