Hi.

This might be a really dumb question...but I have to ask anyway.

Since we are not allowed fruit on induction and just limited fruit (basically strawberries, right?) on the next level----are the nutrients from fruit being made up from other foods that we eat?

Remember that disease---was it rickets? (sp) where people got it from not consuming any fruits. By taking a vitamin supplement, is that enough to make up for not eating any fruits?

Thanks,

"T"

Rickets is a Vitamin D deficiency. I think you may be thinking of scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency. If you are taking good supplements you should be fine. If you are taking something like Centrum, though, you should probably be taking two of them. They are not very strong.

If you are eating a wide variety of veggies, that should cover all the bases. After induction fruit can be added in moderation:

Lower carb fruits:

Strawberries
Blueberries
blackberreis
raspberries
cantaloupe
watermelon
1/2 grapefruit
lemon juice
lime juice

There is no essential nutrient in fruits that is not also found abundantly in vegetables. Veggies are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber (both soluble and insoluble) and antioxidants. FWIW, the following "vegetables" are actually fruits (contain the seeds):

tomato
avocado
cucumber
zucchini and other squash
eggplant
peppers
olives
tomatillos

While it's true that there are some phytonutrients with therapeutic benefits found specifically in certain fruits .. such as proanthocyanins in blueberries ... these are not essential. If they were, then people living in parts of the world where those fruits aren't native would be suffering deficiency disease, which they are not.

hth,

Doreen

Thank you both---great information!

"T"

This is why a multi-vitamin mineral formula is necessary when dieting (losing weight)

On OWL you can add back more then just strawberries. Berries are just low in the glycemic index and packed full of nutricion for less carbs. Some have added back in melon, plums are higher in carbs, but low on the glycemic index, and peaches are also I belive lower GI. On premaintanance you can add back in the occasional apple as well. Read the article "Moving Beyond Berries" on the Atkins web site, it goes into what fruits to add when.