Sam Howells and Ben Jones have the answers to all your diet and nutrition questions. They are directors at diet, weightloss and holistic health provider BlueSkies and have over 20 years of experience in the health, fitness and nutrition industry - helping people make healthy food choices, manage their weight and become fitter and healthier.

Alicia Asks:

I know fruit is a healthy snack, but can you eat too much fruit? It’s full of sugar isn’t it?

The Nutritionists’ Answer:

You’re absolutely right to ask this question, because so often people get caught up in the idea of something being ‘good’ for them and adopting the philosophy that if a little of something is good, more must be better - right? Wrong! Although not so tragically wrong in this case because we can actually eat quite a lot of fruit before it becomes a problem. The recommended guideline is to eat 2-6 servings of fruit each day, and 3-7 vegetable servings. 

Fruits do contain sugar, although ‘how much’ depends on the fruit and what form it’s in. It’s best to eat whole fruit rather than drink smoothies or juices, which give a bit of a sugar rush.  A banana contains about twice as much sugar as an apple and hence has about twice as much energy or calories. Fruits also contain different types of sugars so some give a burst of energy while others a more slow and sustained release – grapes release sugar much faster than cherries even though they contain about the same amount of sugar and energy overall.

Don’t be put off eating fruit as a snack but do be sensible with the amount you eat – 3 or so pieces a day is probably about right. Also, remember that fruit can ferment in the gut if it sits there too long which can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable so it’s best eaten as snacks rather than after a big meal.

Sam Howells, pictured. Sam is an accredited Sports Physiologist with a Masters in Sports Science. Sam says, ’My passion is to see as many people as possible leading healthy, active lives in ways that suit them - eating well and being active is not necessarily hard, doesn’t have to cost a fortune and doesn’t need to take up 90% of your time!’

Ben Jones, pictured. Ben is a personal trainer with a BSC in Physiology. Ben has a ‘practice what you preach’ attitude and follows a regular training programme - currently a mix of running, cycling and weight training.

Wouldn’t it be better to learn to eat healthily and enjoy delicious, lower calorie, nutritious food, rather than living on junk food, milkshakes, supplements or meal replacement bars? Find out how from our resident nutrition experts!

If you have a question about making your diet healthy and balanced, losing weight sensibly, the latest food and performance supplements, fad diets or whether your diet meets your body’s requirements, all you have to do is send them your question using the Comment on this Article box below. And remember – sign up to our monthly health and fitness newsletter to receive your expert answer direct in your in-box.

For more information on diet, nutrition, holistic health and the simple changes you can make to look and feel fantastic, visit www.blueskiesfitness.co.uk