What Do You Call Someone Who Only Eats Fruits and Vegetables?

If you've ever wondered what to label a person who exclusively consumes fruits and vegetables, you're not alone. This dietary choice, while seemingly straightforward, has several specific terms depending on the nuances of their eating habits and the underlying reasons. Let's break it down.

The Primary Term: Fruitarian

The most precise term for someone who primarily or exclusively eats fruits is a fruitarian. This diet is a subset of vegetarianism, but it's much more restrictive. Fruitarians focus on foods that are botanically classified as fruits.

What Exactly Do Fruitarians Eat?

Botanical Fruits: This includes not only common fruits like apples, bananas, berries, and oranges, but also items like tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, peppers, and squash.
Nuts and Seeds: Some fruitarians also incorporate nuts and seeds into their diet, as they are often found within the fruits of many plants.
Limited Other Plant Foods: While the emphasis is on fruits, some fruitarians may occasionally consume other plant-based foods if they align with their specific interpretation of the diet.

What Fruitarians Typically Avoid:

Vegetables: While this might seem contradictory, many fruitarians distinguish between botanical fruits and what are commonly considered vegetables, even if botanically they are fruits. For instance, they might avoid root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
Grains: Cereals, rice, and other grains are generally excluded.
Legumes: Beans and lentils are typically not part of a strict fruitarian diet.
Animal Products: Like all vegetarians and vegans, fruitarians avoid meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs.

The term "fruitarian" can encompass a range of practices, from those who eat almost exclusively fruits to those who include a broader category of plant-based foods that are technically fruits but might be used culinarily as vegetables.

A Broader Category: Vegan

While fruitarianism is very specific, a person who *only* eats fruits and vegetables, but doesn't adhere to the strict botanical definition of fruitarianism, would most accurately be called a vegan. Veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, and therefore, vegans do not consume any animal products.

A vegan diet consists entirely of plant-based foods. This means:

Fruits: All types of fruits are included.
Vegetables: All types of vegetables, including root vegetables, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and more.
Grains: Rice, oats, wheat, corn, and other grains.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, peas, and soy products.
Nuts and Seeds: A wide variety of nuts and seeds.

So, while a fruitarian's diet is a very specific type of vegan diet, not all vegans are fruitarians. A person who eats fruits and vegetables, along with grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, is a vegan.

Less Common or More General Terms

While "fruitarian" and "vegan" are the most accurate, you might encounter other terms, though they are less common or more general:

Raw Foodist (if no cooking involved): If the fruits and vegetables are also consumed raw, they might be referred to as a "raw vegan" or simply a "raw foodist" if their diet is exclusively raw plant-based foods.
Plant-Based Eater (general): This is a broader term that simply means someone whose diet is primarily derived from plants. It doesn't necessarily exclude *all* animal products but often implies a strong emphasis on fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. However, for someone *only* eating fruits and vegetables, "vegan" is more precise.

Why Might Someone Choose This Diet?

People adopt these diets for various reasons:

"For some, it's a health-driven decision, believing that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables offers optimal nutrition and disease prevention. Others are motivated by ethical concerns regarding animal welfare. Environmental impact is also a significant factor for many, as plant-based diets generally have a lower carbon footprint."

It's important to note that while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can be incredibly healthy, very restrictive diets like strict fruitarianism can be challenging to sustain and may require careful planning to ensure adequate intake of certain nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do fruitarians get enough protein?

Strict fruitarians often rely on nuts and seeds, which contain protein. However, getting sufficient protein on a very limited fruit-only diet can be challenging and may require careful monitoring and supplementation.

Is a fruitarian diet healthy?

While fruits are packed with vitamins and fiber, a diet consisting solely of fruits can be deficient in essential nutrients like protein, fats, vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. It's often recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before adopting such a restrictive diet.

What's the difference between vegan and vegetarian?

Vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. Vegans, on the other hand, exclude all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and honey, in addition to meat, poultry, and fish.

Are all fruitarians also vegans?

Yes, a fruitarian diet is a type of vegan diet because it excludes all animal products. However, not all vegans are fruitarians, as vegans may consume a wider variety of plant-based foods, including vegetables, grains, and legumes.