'Why I'm raising my kids on a fruitarian diet'
A mum has shared why she is raising her kids as fruitarians – surviving almost entirely on fruit and vegetables alone – because she believes humans were designed to "only eat fruit".
She also claims it "makes them behave better" as "food is highly linked with behaviour".
Pam Johal, 47, from Southampton has been a raw vegan for the last four years, meaning she only eats uncooked fruit and vegetables.
Before adopting her diet, she used to eat meat four times a week, until a health scare prompted her to change what she was consuming.
The mum suffered from rheumatoid arthritis from the beginning of 2020, but by August she claims she had reversed the condition by eating fruit.
Johal cut out lots of her favourite foods, like cheesy pasta and bacon sandwiches, opting to live on mangoes and avocado instead.
Now her children – Georgie, seven and Henry, six – have also adopted the diet with Johal believing "a fruit smoothie a day keeps the doctor away."
While the family don't eat milk, eggs or processed meats, the children are occasionally allowed some vegan chocolate, ice cream and jelly.
"I've lived on 90% fruit for four and a half years and I've never felt better," Johan says of the diet.
“Even in my twenties, I didn't feel as good as this."
In February 2020, Johal was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after experiencing symptoms including muscle stiffness, fatigue and swelling.
“I used to start my days off having a hot bath to help with the stiffness," she explains. "Then I'd have to take Naproxen [the anti-inflammatory drug] in the morning.
“Tasks like getting out of the bath, completing housework, picking up my kids and even opening bottles became painful.”
After starting a raw vegan diet, Johal says she was “shocked" at her dramatic improvement.
“Within a few months, I had changed my life and reversed my arthritis,” she explains.
“It takes a while for your stomach to get used to a different sensation, but I've never felt better.”
Now, four years into being a fruitarian, she feels she's added years to her life.
“I have a tonne of energy, no aches or pains,” she says.
“I’m 47 and I have no grey hairs.
"My family think I'm crazy, but I feel incredible."
Johal says she takes herbs to compensate for any minerals or vitamins she misses in her diet.
As well as being a raw vegan herself, the mum-of-two tries to raise her children on a mainly plant-based diet.
She gives both of her children smoothies that she claims "gives them all their daily vitamin needs in one drink".
She puts in "anything she can" which typically consists of bananas, dates, pine nuts and mangoes.
"I can't influence them completely,” she adds. "But they notice how I eat, I take them to vegan fairs and teach them the truth about food."
Johal claims her kids’ plant-based diet has stopped them from needing the doctor for childhood illnesses like the flu.
"We haven't needed the GP before like some other children,” she explains.
"They love the food I make and they never get sick.
"My kids are always happy and thriving, they are always singing and dancing, they are much happier now they eat more raw vegan foods."
A typical day of eating for Johal
No breakfast, fasts until 11 am
Lunch: Salad, mangoes, orange juice, watermelon juice and grapes
Dinner: Leek and potato soup, fruit
A typical day of eating for her children
Breakfast: Fruit
Lunch: Fruit, vegan yoghurt, raisins, vegan jelly and healthy crisps
Snack: Smoothie or vegan KitKat
Dinner: Their choice but it can often be soup
What is a fruitarian diet?
There are a few different interpretations of a fruitarian diet but in general followers eat a primarily plant-based diet, excluding all meat and animal products in favour of a diet mainly comprised of fruit. As such, it could be described as a type of raw veganism.
Fruit is, of course, rich in vitamins, minerals and protective antioxidants, which is why, as part of a balanced diet, it is a valuable dietary inclusion for most people.
According to the Eatwell Guide (the official government recommendations for a healthy diet), just over a third of the food we eat should be fruits and vegetables and we should aim for at least five portions a day.
"Incorporating more plant foods into the diet from a young age can be beneficial in supporting an optimal gut due to the high intakes of fibre and plant diversity," explains nutritionist Jenna Hope.
"Additionally, plants are particularly rich in some nutrients such as vitamin C and magnesium, both of which play an important role in supporting immune health and the production of cortisol."
However, Hope says balance is vital and restrictive diets can pose significant risks of nutrient deficiencies, so much so that she wouldn't recommend the diet for children.
"A fruitarian diet poses a significant risk of nutrient deficiencies due to the lack of diversity in the diet and low intakes of protein rich foods," she explains.
"Due to the lack of dairy, fortified dairy alternatives and animal products, calcium and vitamin B12 are particularly high risk nutrients on this diet. However, protein can also be an issue if individuals following the diet are not consuming ample amounts of nuts and seeds (these are the main protein sources on a fruitarian diet)."
Additionally, due to the lack of dairy and white fish, Hope says iodine deficiency can also be a risk factor.
"Iodine is essential in supporting cognitive development at a young age and therefore for children it's even more imperative they're consuming enough iodine rich sources," she says.
"Also, if the intake of nuts and seeds is low, omega-3 deficiency can also be a risk. Omega-3 is essential in supporting brain health and joint health."
Hope says a healthy balanced diet is essential to support optimal development.
"Bringing children up on highly restrictive diet without managing the risks of nutrient deficiencies could be detrimental to adequate growth and development."
Parenting read more
Parents warned over dangers of swimwear worn by two-thirds of children (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
What are the health risks of children skipping breakfast? (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
New app teaches parents about 'emotional health issues' as over half of 4-7 year olds struggling (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
