Fruits viewed as bad carbs by some docs?

Lesa Marie · Jun 27, 2021

Every doctor is different which is why I’m always going back and fourth with my girlfriend about what our docs recommend. We switch ideas basically lol. I was also told by the hospital that our surgeon is NOT a nutritionist so I’m actually waiting to hear back from mine to see what she thinks about adding fruits in. My bariatric doctor said NO FRUITS or any other high carb foods for a WHOLE YEAR! Sorry but that sounds a bit ridiculous to me considering they have so many health benefits. I was also in the ER the other day and the doc there said I had low potassium and suggested 1/2 banana a day to keep me healthy in that department. And yes, he knew that I just had bariatric surgery. So what are your thoughts on fresh fruits, what have your nutritionist or surgeons said about them and if you do eat them how does your stomach handle it all?

JudyNY · Jun 27, 2021

My doctor never said no fruits but I know some do. I personally think that is crazy but I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. However I do follow Dr. Matthew Weiner on YouTube, check him out. He is all for fruits and vegetables. Of course not in the early stages, but his motto is after 6 months you should be concentrating on vegetables and fruits in your diet and not worry as much about the protein.

dianeseattle · Jun 27, 2021

Lesa Marie said:
Every doctor is different which is why I’m always going back and fourth with my girlfriend about what our docs recommend. We switch ideas basically lol. I was also told by the hospital that our surgeon is NOT a nutritionist so I’m actually waiting to hear back from mine to see what she thinks about adding fruits in. My bariatric doctor said NO FRUITS or any other high carb foods for a WHOLE YEAR! Sorry but that sounds a bit ridiculous to me considering they have so many health benefits. I was also in the ER the other day and the doc there said I had low potassium and suggested 1/2 banana a day to keep me healthy in that department. And yes, he knew that I just had bariatric surgery. So what are your thoughts on fresh fruits, what have your nutritionist or surgeons said about them and if you do eat them how does your stomach handle it all?

That's insane. I can't even comment, it infuriates me so. I'd get a new doctor if that's what he considers medical advice. I consider it malpractice.

Wendi70 · Jun 27, 2021

I am in the same boat, dietician says no fruits for at least a year. Trying to not come out of the gate arguing (only 2 weeks post op), hoping to revisit in a few months if my course is uncomplicated.
No fruit was the hardest news I received in the my pre jab classes

Bill sperry · Jun 27, 2021

I eat fruits all the time my dr. Said as long as I’m getting vegetables and protein in then it’s ok. I don’t eat a lot of fruit just a small bowl of cherries or watermelon and maybe a banana

WazzuCoug · Jun 27, 2021

All fruits are not created equal, and it's unfortunate they are often grouped into one single category. There is a huge difference with how your body responds to something like watermelon, which has almost no fiber, and raspberries which have loads of fiber. The glucose and insulin responses from these are very different. Fruits with decent fiber content are great, healthy, and good for your gut, and other fruits are fine occasionally as well.

Doctors, in general, have very little nutrition education, unless they have taken a very special interest in it and do some specialization. My bariatric dietician has been fully supportive of fruits from the very beginning as part of a plant-based diet, with the caveat that anything can be overdone and sticking to those that have more fibers is generally better to balance blood sugar and insulin response.

Here is a list of fruits and their fiber content:

List of Fruits High in Fiber

#1: Passion-Fruit (Granadilla)

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
25g (88% DV)	10g (37% DV)	21g (77% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Passion Fruit (Granadilla).(Source)

#2: Avocados

Fiber per Avocado	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
13g (48% DV)	7g (24% DV)	8g (30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Avocados.(Source)

#3: Guavas

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
9g (32% DV)	5g (19% DV)	16g (57% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Guavas.(Source)

#4: Raspberries

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
8g (29% DV)	7g (23% DV)	25g (89% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Raspberries.(Source)

#5: Blackberries

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
8g (27% DV)	5g (19% DV)	25g (88% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Blackberries.(Source)

#6: Pomegranate

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
7g (25% DV)	4g (14% DV)	10g (34% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Pomegranates.(Source)

#7: Persimmon

Fiber per Fruit	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
6g (22% DV)	4g (13% DV)	10g (37% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Fuyu Persimmon.(Source)

#8: Kiwifruit

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
5g (19% DV)	3g (11% DV)	10g (35% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Kiwifruit.(Source)

#9: Pears

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
4g (16% DV)	3g (11% DV)	11g (39% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Pears.(Source)

#10: Oranges

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
4g (15% DV)	2g (9% DV)	10g (36% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Oranges.(Source)

#11: Blueberries

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
4g (13% DV)	2g (9% DV)	8g (30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Blueberries.(Source)

#12: Tangerines

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
4g (13% DV)	2g (6% DV)	7g (24% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Tangerines.(Source)

#13: Strawberries

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (12% DV)	2g (7% DV)	13g (45% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Strawberries.(Source)

#14: Cherries

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (12% DV)	2g (8% DV)	7g (24% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Cherries (Sweet).(Source)

#15: Apricots

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (11% DV)	2g (7% DV)	8g (30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Apricots.(Source)

#16: Bananas

Fiber per Cup Sliced	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (11% DV)	3g (9% DV)	6g (21% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Bananas.(Source)

#17: Starfruit (Carambola)

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (11% DV)	3g (10% DV)	18g (65% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Starfruit (Carambola).(Source)

#18: Apples

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (11% DV)	2g (9% DV)	9g (33% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Apples.(Source)

#19: Mangos

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (9% DV)	2g (6% DV)	5g (19% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Mangos.(Source)

#20: Grapefruit

Fiber per Cup	Fiber per 100g	Fiber per 200 Calories
3g (9% DV)	1g (4% DV)	7g (25% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Grapefruit.(Source)

There are several others that are at the 2g level such as nectarines, peaches, pineapple, plum, and cantelope.

JudyNY · Jun 27, 2021

dianeseattle said:
That's insane. I can't even comment, it infuriates me so. I'd get a new doctor if that's what he considers medical advice. I consider it malpractice.

I was going to say that myself but then decided to word it differently. Honestly I do have a problem with doctors who tell you not to eat food that is very healthy for you but they don't mind pushing artificial sweeteners and protein bars and shakes. Mind you, those things can be very helpful especially in the beginning of our journey but I just can't make sense about forgoing real food.

3momchaos · Jun 27, 2021

My dietitian is the only one who gives me advice or guidance on food. She didn’t say no fruit, but warned that some fruits are higher in carbs than others, so to be mindful. But also just to be mindful about any eating after surgery because they expect people to eat “real” food after a time. I think that’s why I like my dietitian so much. She knows that people are going to have pizza, ice cream, cake, fried foods, etc., after surgery at some point, but hopefully after reevaluating their relationship with food and how they can keep themselves from be triggered into old eating habits.

cmarnold01 · Jun 27, 2021

I am 11 weeks out from surgery and enjoy cantaloupe, cherries, bananas, peaches and avocados. I am enjoying them instead of sweets such as cookies, cake, pie or ice cream.

JudyNY · Jun 27, 2021

cmarnold01 said:
I am 11 weeks out from surgery and enjoy cantaloupe, cherries, bananas, peaches and avocados. I am enjoying them instead of sweets such as cookies, cake, pie or ice cream.

I agree, I think fruits can help satisfy your sweet tooth and a much better choice than cookies, cakes, etc.

Anne23 · Jun 27, 2021

I eat all berries (love them in cottage cheese) and apples with almond butter. Fiber and protein

Lesa Marie · Jun 28, 2021

WazzuCoug said:
All fruits are not created equal, and it's unfortunate they are often grouped into one single category. There is a huge difference with how your body responds to something like watermelon, which has almost no fiber, and raspberries which have loads of fiber. The glucose and insulin responses from these are very different. Fruits with decent fiber content are great, healthy, and good for your gut, and other fruits are fine occasionally as well.

Doctors, in general, have very little nutrition education, unless they have taken a very special interest in it and do some specialization. My bariatric dietician has been fully supportive of fruits from the very beginning as part of a plant-based diet, with the caveat that anything can be overdone and sticking to those that have more fibers is generally better to balance blood sugar and insulin response.

Here is a list of fruits and their fiber content:

List of Fruits High in Fiber

#1: Passion-Fruit (Granadilla)

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
25g
(88% DV) 10g
(37% DV) 21g
(77% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Passion Fruit (Granadilla).(Source)

#2: Avocados

Fiber
per Avocado Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
13g
(48% DV) 7g
(24% DV) 8g
(30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Avocados.(Source)

#3: Guavas

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
9g
(32% DV) 5g
(19% DV) 16g
(57% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Guavas.(Source)

#4: Raspberries

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
8g
(29% DV) 7g
(23% DV) 25g
(89% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Raspberries.(Source)

#5: Blackberries

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
8g
(27% DV) 5g
(19% DV) 25g
(88% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Blackberries.(Source)

#6: Pomegranate

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
7g
(25% DV) 4g
(14% DV) 10g
(34% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Pomegranates.(Source)

#7: Persimmon

Fiber
per Fruit Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
6g
(22% DV) 4g
(13% DV) 10g
(37% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Fuyu Persimmon.(Source)

#8: Kiwifruit

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
5g
(19% DV) 3g
(11% DV) 10g
(35% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Kiwifruit.(Source)

#9: Pears

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
4g
(16% DV) 3g
(11% DV) 11g
(39% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Pears.(Source)

#10: Oranges

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
4g
(15% DV) 2g
(9% DV) 10g
(36% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Oranges.(Source)

#11: Blueberries

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
4g
(13% DV) 2g
(9% DV) 8g
(30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Blueberries.(Source)

#12: Tangerines

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
4g
(13% DV) 2g
(6% DV) 7g
(24% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Tangerines.(Source)

#13: Strawberries

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(12% DV) 2g
(7% DV) 13g
(45% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Strawberries.(Source)

#14: Cherries

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(12% DV) 2g
(8% DV) 7g
(24% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Cherries (Sweet).(Source)

#15: Apricots

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(11% DV) 2g
(7% DV) 8g
(30% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Apricots.(Source)

#16: Bananas

Fiber
per Cup Sliced Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(11% DV) 3g
(9% DV) 6g
(21% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Bananas.(Source)

#17: Starfruit (Carambola)

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(11% DV) 3g
(10% DV) 18g
(65% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Starfruit (Carambola).(Source)

#18: Apples

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(11% DV) 2g
(9% DV) 9g
(33% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Apples.(Source)

#19: Mangos

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(9% DV) 2g
(6% DV) 5g
(19% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Mangos.(Source)

#20: Grapefruit

Fiber
per Cup Fiber
per 100g Fiber
per 200 Calories
3g
(9% DV) 1g
(4% DV) 7g
(25% DV)

Nutrition Facts for Grapefruit.(Source)

There are several others that are at the 2g level such as nectarines, peaches, pineapple, plum, and cantelope.

Awesome! Thank you so much for all this info. So the higher the fiber per cup are better options?

Lesa Marie · Jun 28, 2021

cmarnold01 said:
I am 11 weeks out from surgery and enjoy cantaloupe, cherries, bananas, peaches and avocados. I am enjoying them instead of sweets such as cookies, cake, pie or ice cream.

This is EXACTLY why I’m needing them in my life lol! Seriously though, it keeps me from eating other junk that is just filled with sugar and has no nutritional value.

WazzuCoug · Jun 28, 2021

Lesa Marie said:
Awesome! Thank you so much for all this info. So the higher the fiber per cup are better options?

T

The fruits with the higher fiber would have a lower glycemic response, so they won't have as much impact on blood sugar and insulin. Ups and downs of glucose/insulin can have an effect on several things including satiety/hunger/fat storage, etc.

For myself, I consider all of the fruits good options above anything that is processed or has added sugar, but I tend to eat the ones with fiber more often and eat the lower fiber fruits only occasionally. I mean, you can't really go through summer without some watermelon (in my opinion), but I'd eat something with protein/fat before it to minimize the glycemic impact.