No fruits are truly unhealthy in and of themselves. However, some people may simply prefer not to eat certain fruits due to their higher sugar, fat, or calorie level that may interfere with their weight loss goals, current diet, or dietary restrictions.
Fruits are generally considered healthy as part of a balanced diet. However, some people with certain health conditions or dietary restrictions may find some fruits more suitable than others. Whole fruits can be part of an overall healthy diet for many people. Diets that are rich in whole foods — such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains — support overall health and may help prevent some chronic conditions. Fruits contain nutrients that may be lacking in the average diet, along with other beneficial plant compounds, such as various antioxidants. For some people, certain types of fruit may be more desirable than others. Some people or diets may consider certain fruits unhealthy, and, in some cases, there may be healthier alternatives for people to consider. This article looks at why people with certain dietary restrictions or health conditions may wish to avoid certain fruits, which fruits they may wish to avoid, and some alternatives they may consider healthier.
Why might some people consider certain fruits unhealthy? Share on Pinterest Photo editing by Lauren Azor; Laurens Kaldeway/Getty Images Although fruit is generally a healthy staple in any diet, there are some factors that may make certain fruits unhealthy by a person’s individual standards, based on any health conditions, dietary restrictions, or weight loss goals they may have. For example, some people following low carbohydrate or ketogenic diets may restrict their fruit intake. High glycemic index foods The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking system for carb foods such as fruit to measure how they affect blood sugar levels after a person eats them. Foods with higher GI scores affect blood sugar more after ingestion, so they may not be the most healthy option for people who need to control their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes. Sugar Even aside from GI scores, some people may be looking to cut higher sugar sources from their diet. In general, fruit is a rich source of dietary sugars. This extra sugar may lead to the person eating more calories than intended. For others, the sugar itself may be the thing they wish to avoid. Fats Some people may also look to eliminate certain fruits for being high in fats. Fruits such as avocado and coconut are naturally high in fats. People who are following a low fat diet may not consider these fruits healthy for them, or they may want to avoid the extra calories from fat that these fruits have.
Which fruits may some people consider ‘less healthy’? It is important to keep in mind that most whole fruits are healthy when a person eats them in moderation and as a part of a balanced diet. No fruits are truly unhealthy in and of themselves. However, some people may simply prefer not to eat certain fruits due to their higher sugar, fat, or calorie level that may interfere with their weight loss goals, current diet, or dietary restrictions. Others, such as those with diabetes or allergies, may need to watch their intake of certain fruits for health reasons. The following sections look at some fruits that certain people may consider unhealthy. Bananas Bananas contain a number of important nutrients. However, some people may not enjoy eating bananas due to their higher amounts of carbs, sugars, and calories per serving. One banana contains: 112 calories
1.37 grams (g) of protein
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15.4 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 451 milligrams (mg) of potassium
34 mg of magnesium
11 mg of vitamin C
0.46 mg of vitamin B6
0.1 mg of copper Mangoes Mangoes are rich in vitamins and some antioxidants. However, they are also very rich in sugars that may affect blood sugar levels, so some people may need to avoid eating them. One cup of mango contains: 99 calories
1.35 g of protein
0.63 g of fat
24.7 g of carbs
2.64 g of fiber
22.5 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 277 mg of potassium
89.1 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A
60.1 mg of vitamin C
0.2 mg of vitamin B6
0.83 g of copper Cherries Cherries are rich in antioxidants and important nutrients. However, they also have a lot of sugar per serving, with little fiber to balance this out. Some people may choose to avoid eating cherries for this reason. One cup of cherries contains: 94.5 calories
1.59 g of protein
0.3 g of fat
24 g of carbs
3.15 g of fiber
19.2 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 0.54 g of iron
19.5 mg of calcium
10.5 mg of vitamin C Coconut Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm, and people use it for its meat, water, and oil. Coconut is very high in fat, so it may not be ideal for people who are looking to reduce their fat or calorie intake. One cup of fresh coconut contains: 301 calories
2.83 g of protein
28.5 g of fat
12.9 g of carbs
7.65 g of fiber
5.3 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 11.9 mg of calcium
303 mg of potassium
27.2 mg of magnesium
2.8 mg of vitamin C
8.58 mcg of selenium
2.07 mg of iron Grapes Grapes contain important vitamins and antioxidants. However, they are also high in sugars and have little fiber to balance this out. One cup of grapes contains: 104 calories
1.08 g of protein
0.24 g of fat
27.2 g of carbs
1.35 g of fiber
23.2 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 286 mg of potassium
4.8 mg of vitamin C
0.19 mg of copper Lychees Lychees have a highly fragrant smell and taste, and they contain beneficial vitamins and antioxidants. However, they may be too sweet for some people, and they have very little fiber to balance out their sugar content. One cup of lychees contains: 125 calories
1.58 g of protein
0.83 g of fat
31.4 g of carbs
2.47 g of fiber
28.9 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 325 mg of potassium
136 mg of vitamin C
0.28 mg of copper Orange juice Oranges are sources of fiber, water, and important vitamins, such as vitamin C. Orange juice is a popular way to consume oranges, but it may not be as healthy as oranges themselves. The juicing process removes much of the fiber from an orange, making it easier to consume more of it without becoming full. Orange juice is also rich in sugars and is quite acidic, which may contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. About 1 cup of orange juice contains: 119 calories
1.69 g of protein
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20.6 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 139 mg of calcium
441 mg of potassium
27.3 mg of magnesium
83.3 mg of vitamin C
0.11 mg of thiamin
47.1 mcg of folate Dried fruit Dried fruit has had all of its water removed. The result is a smaller, more nutrient dense version of the fruit. These tend to be sweeter and smaller than their whole fruit alternatives, which may make it easier to overeat them. People who are watching their calorie or sugar intake may, therefore, want to avoid dried fruits.
Alternatives to try When people use the term unhealthy fruits, they may be referring to the balance between sugars and fiber, the fat or carb content of the fruit, or other factors, such as the levels of vitamins or antioxidants in the fruit. From these perspectives, there may be some fruits that are preferable for some people and in some diets. Berries In general, berries are well-rounded from a nutritional standpoint. Although their exact composition will vary, many berries are typically lower in sugar than many other fruits and contain beneficial fiber and vitamins. Berries also tend to have higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants that may support overall health. Because of their unique composition, berries have been the subject of many studies. For example, one meta-analysis in the journal Nutrients notes that having a high intake of various berries may help reduce weight, decrease caloric intake, and reduce the risk of conditions such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. Watermelon Watermelon’s name derives from the fact that it mostly comprises water. It is very low in calories while providing the sweet taste that many people desire from fruit. One cup of watermelon contains: 46.5 calories
0.93 g of protein
0.23 g of fat
11.5 g of carbs
0.61 g of fiber
9.42 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 170 mg of potassium
12.3 mg of vitamin C
42.6 mcg of vitamin A Apples Apples are rich in water and healthy fibers that may be more filling than some other options without being very calorie dense. They also provide important antioxidants to the body. One large apple contains: 126 calories
0.63 g of protein
0.41 g of fat
33.4 g of carbs
5.81 g of fiber
25.1 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 14.5 mg of calcium
259 mg of potassium
12.1 mg of magnesium
11.1 mg of vitamin C
65.3 mcg of beta-carotene Grapefruit Grapefruit is low in calories and high in nutrients, including a number of helpful antioxidants. One cup of grapefruit contains: 75.6 calories
1.39 g of protein
0.25 g of fat
19.2 g of carbs
2.88 g of fiber
12.4 g of sugar It also contains the following vitamins and minerals: 39.6 mg of calcium
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