Fruitarianism: The Newest Trend In Dieting

Eating nothing but fruit. Could you do it?

Every few years a new diet phenomenon comes along with plenty of room for band-wagoners looking to shed a few extra pounds. The latest one brewing is the "Fruitarian" movement.

Similar to vegetarianism, fruitarianism is a diet and lifestyle where aside from an occasional leafy green, bowl of nuts or seeds, fruit is the only food choice. While this may be new to your ears, the practice has actually been around for some time.

Fruitarianism's staunchest supporters claim that the regime was the diet that God intended for humans to eat. Some have gone so far as to say that it was not an apple that Adam ate in the Bible before all hell broke loose, but the heart of the world's first butchered animal. Less extreme participants in fruitarianism list as reasons for adopting the strict diet everything from not wanting to kill plants to a desire to more quickly shed body fat.

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Just in case you're wondering who has chosen this diet in the past, here are a couple of names: Steve Jobs reportedly was once a fruitarian and loved being one so much that he made Apple the name of his computer company. Ugandan dictator Idi Amin (yes, the one that people say was a cannibal) also was reportedly a fruitarian later in life.

"It's not new, but it is becoming a trend," says Atlanta-based nutritionist Sonali Sadequee.

With McDonald's posting its lowest sales in nine years and Hostess (makers of Twinkies and Ding Dongs) preparing to close its doors for good, it looks as if more and more people are looking to improve their health. Vegetarianism has a reputation of being costly, and not very tasty unless you have above average cooking skills. Raw veganism is said to be even more difficult to maintain. So fruitarianism, with its sweet watermelons and pineapples, can appear to be the next logical choice for those looking for a non-meat, non-dairy diet.