Help me either find a low carb program that "allows" a reasonable amount of fruit or convince me fruit should mostly be avoided.

I've read Atkins' book and many low carb sites. I get the science; I'm on day 3 of induction.

I totally see how white flour, refined foods, junk foods, lowfat products are counterproductive to health and weight loss. I understand avoiding juice. I even understanding avoiding grain, even mostly whole grain.

What seems counterintuitive *to me* and my experience with my body is avoiding fruit. I don't want to argue with what's worked for many - but the fruit thing has me thinking. Many high fiber fruits are so filled with water, and are incredible sources of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. For me, it's almost a spiritual issue - they are provided for our consumption, ready to eat off the tree.

Is there a LC program that leaves room for a reasonable amount of fruit?

i am just a rank beginner, but from what i've gleaned so far, you (and me too) might be better served by protein power. it allows 30 grams of carbs a day and they are net carbs, meaning the fiber grams from fruit and veggies are subtracted.
i am a serious fruit lover and i save all my carbs for salad and at least a serving of fruit a day.
vendala

There are no vitamins that you can get from fruit that you can't get from vegetables. Vegetables provide more bang for your buck and with far fewer carbs. Fruit contains fructose, a natural form of sugar which, as you know, is a no-no on a low carb diet. HOWEVER, as you start to increase your carbs after induction, you may start to add some low-glycemic fruits such as berries, cantaloupe, grapefruit and pears....in small amounts.

I eat about 40 grams of carbs a day and am enjoying my cottage cheese and strawberries as a yummy snack once or twice a day. I also have a little cantaloupe when it's in season. Just have patience and you'll be able to add back those yummy fruits every so often if you choose to .... later on. For right now, it's best if you learn how to break your addiction to sweet things in all forms.

I'm not very familiar with Schwarzbein Principle, but I think that it is the most liberal of all the plans....perhaps you should check it out.

I agree with Teridoodle,

There is no nutrient in fruit that is not also abundant in vegetables except for SUGAR! One medium spear of broccoli has more potassium than a banana, and more fiber than an apple. And more protein than either

Atkins does not say that you may never have fruit. It's just that during the 2 weeks of Induction, when you only have 20g net carbs to budget, you're better served to get your fiber, vitamins and minerals from vegetables.

And, there are a number of fruits permitted on Induction which are quite low in carbs .. tomatoes, olives, avocados, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant are all fruits, botanically speaking

Doreen

i agree that it is no crime to function without fruit for a couple of weeks, but there are phytochemicals that are specific to fruits that are simply not in vegetables.
prevention magazine has published many an article on the benefits of papaya, blueberries and the like.
vendala

It's true that there are compounds in certain fruits which have been shown to have health benefits. But I'm not sure that makes them essential. If the particular phytochemicals that are exclusive to certain fruits were essential, then people living in the parts of the world where the fruit is not native would be suffering deficiencies and ill-health from the lack of it.

From a paleo perspective, the consumption of ANY plant product .. vegetable, fruit, herbaceous, nut or seed .. is seasonal and restricted to what's locally available, although various preserving methods can extend the availability of local produce. Eating fruits and vegetables imported from around the globe is a non-essential luxury that's only been available recently.

Doreen

People who loose weight easily could possibly eat some fruit in the continuing weight loss phase, but those who are having difficulty loosing weight must avoid all fruit. This is even more noticeable as one approaches their goal where weight loss is more difficult to achieve. I could never eat any fruit without going into an immediate stall, and could not even eat low-glycemic berries. I have eaten strawberries with whipping cream while in a maintenance pause .... yummy.

Skip the fruit if you are serious about reaching your goal, and wait until you are in the life time maintenance phase to begin to enjoy them again.

Kent