Fruitarians: why they don't eat pineapples

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in various dietary choices, ranging from vegetarianism to veganism. Among these alternative eating patterns, a group known as fruitarians has gained attention for their unique dietary restrictions. Unlike vegetarians or vegans, fruitarians exclusively consume fruits and exclude other plant-based foods, such as vegetables, grains, and nuts. However, it may come as a surprise that some fruitarians even exclude certain fruits from their diet, including pineapples.

Fruitarians base their dietary choices on ethical, environmental, and health-related reasons. Advocates argue that consuming a fruit-only diet aligns with their desire to minimize harm to living beings and the environment. They believe that by only eating fruits, they significantly reduce the overall impact on animal life and the planet. Additionally, fruitarians argue that fruits provide all necessary nutrients for a healthy and balanced life.

One might wonder why fruitarians exclude pineapples, a tropical fruit known for its delicious taste and numerous health benefits. Pineapples are packed with vitamin C, manganese, and bromelain—an enzyme associated with improved digestion and anti-inflammatory properties. However, fruitarians assert that due to their dietary principles, certain fruits, including pineapples, do not meet their criteria.

Fruitarians believe that consuming fruits which require harming the plant, such as digging up its roots or cutting the stem, contradicts their core values. Pineapples, like many other fruits, grow on plants that are often harvested by uprooting the entire plant. This practice leads to plant harm and is deemed incompatible with the fruitarians’ food philosophy.

Furthermore, the global production and transportation of pineapples have harmful implications for the environment. Commercial pineapple cultivation requires substantial resources, including large amounts of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Additionally, transporting pineapples over long distances entails significant carbon emissions. Fruitarians, who prioritize environmentally sustainable practices, consider the environmental impact of pineapples’ production and transportation as reasons for excluding them from their diet.

In terms of nutritional concerns, some fruitarians argue that pineapples contain a higher concentration of fructose compared to other fruits. Fructose, a type of sugar found naturally in fruit, can be beneficial when consumed in moderate amounts. However, excessive fructose consumption may have adverse effects on health, including the risk of developing metabolic disorders like diabetes or obesity. Thus, fruitarians may choose to avoid pineapples due to concerns over their fructose content.

It is worth noting that not all fruitarians avoid pineapples or other fruits that do not fit their criteria. As with any dietary philosophy, individuals have different interpretations and variations of fruitarianism. Some fruitarians may exclude pineapples strictly based on their principles, while others may include them despite their harvesting and environmental concerns.

In conclusion, fruitarians abstain from various plant-based foods, including pineapples, due to their dietary principles. These principles encompass ethical considerations regarding plant harm, environmental sustainability, and concerns over excessive fructose intake. While some fruitarians may choose to include pineapples despite these concerns, the ability to customize their diet based on personal beliefs is central to the fruitarian philosophy. Whether or not pineapples are included in a fruitarian’s diet, fruitarianism remains an intriguing dietary choice, highlighting the diversity of human eating preferences and philosophies towards food.