'You just cannot live on raw fruit'

Dubai: Jaye will lose muscle mass if he continues on his unusual diet of raw fruit and vegetables and his immune system will be weakened in the long run, warn dieticians.

"You can't just live on raw fruit and vegetables," says Lubna Surya, dietician at Al Rafa Polyclinic. She said the effects of the lack of minerals and vitamins in his diet will surface over a period of time.

"Human beings have evolved over the years," said the dietician, and notes that protein in the diet is essential. "Cavemen killed animals and ate raw meat," she points out.

Protein provides the body about 15 per cent of its dietary energy and is essential for growth and repair. Dieticians say the best source of protein is from meat, but advise against eating too much of red meat and instead recommend fish.

(Vegans counter that argument saying that protein can be found in some raw nuts such as almonds. Protein is also found in raw leafy vegetables, but some dieticians say you will have to eat large amounts of greens).

Sangeeta Sakthi, dietician at Body and Soul Healthcare, believes Jaye's diet is good for de-toxing, if you have eaten a lot of meat. But she recommends that he should not continue on it beyond a week or he will suffer from malnutrition.

(Detoxing by eating only raw fruits and vegetables is good if you suffer from headaches, bloating and fatigue, but it should not be continued for more than four days as this extreme diet does not provide all the essential nutrients to the body). Sakthi points out a proper balanced diet is essential, which is tailored to your height and weight. She feels if you eat only raw fruits and vegetables you will suffer from malnutrition.

"This diet is a quick fix if you have been eating a lot of fast food with high sodium content, trans-fats and saturated fats [which are a huge risk factor for heart disease," says A. Safeek Ali, dietician at Welcare Hospital.

He said it is good if you wish to lose weight, but no studies have been done to see if this diet has been followed life-long by anyone. "I am not sure if it is possible to stick to this diet all your life," he said.

"There is a concept that enzymes are lost when you cook vegetables," he said. But he adds that there is a risk of turning anaemic and you do not get calcium through this diet.

(Calcium is essential for building bones and lack of this element could lead to osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and break easily).

"We need a balanced diet [which includes carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals and even good fats] and physical activity," notes the dietician.

(According to calorie count.about.com, a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels).

Ali says a lack of iron will result in anaemia and that Jaye needs Vitamin B12, which can only be found in meat, eggs and dairy products.

(Vitamin B12 is essential for synthesis of red blood cells and maintenance of the nervous system. A lack of B12 over a prolonged period of time can lead to nerve degeneration and even neurological damage).

Good source

A good source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians are dairy products such as a slice of Cheddar cheese or free-range chicken eggs.

(Boiling milk destroys much of the B12). Vegans are recommended to ensure their diet includes foods fortified with vitamin B12, which include yeast extracts, vegetable stock, veggie burger mixes, soya milks, sunflower margarine and breakfast cereals.

Surya says that even some cults that promote eating of raw fruits and vegetables do not stop people from eating meat.

"This is impractical for a normal life," she said.