You've probably heard the same old things from parents, doctors, and dieticians over the years when it comes to 'how' to eat.
A balanced diet with the right amount of each food group, and as a general rule, avoid having too much sugar as it can be detrimental to your long-term health.
Among other things like fat and foods containing oils, we've long been told to limit the amount that we have of these ingredients in day-to-day life, but one social media influencer has claimed that sugar in particular isn't that bad.
Freelee, known on Instagram as @freeleethebananagirl and living as a self-described 'frugivore vegan', writes in her bio that she is an expert on sugar, and that she has been on a fruit-based diet for 18 years.
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The influencer shares aspects of her lifestyle across her accounts regularly, and aims to dispel the belief that large amounts of sugar is bad for you.
Speaking to LADbible, the influencer said that her diet is fruit-based, with her dinner usually a high carb, plant-based dinner.
Freelee claims that her health 'was in ruins' before switching her diet, and had digestive issues, bulimia, and a history of anorexia and drug abuse.
While the frugivore is an advocate for fruits in people's every day diets, she also encourages people to include sugar, specifically white sugar, in their meals and even their water.
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When asked about how much sugar she has per day, she explained: "On average 100 grams of white sugar per day, give or take.
"That’s in the form of sugar water, banana smoothies with added sugar, and sugar added to low-quality fruit."
Freelee, who has over 795,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, said that it helps to boost her energy, mood, and recovery after exercise.
She also opened up on what health benefits she experienced as a result, claiming: "Everything. My digestion healed. I’m free of IBS. My weight stabilised and I’ve stayed lean for over 14 years now.
"My skin cleared. I no longer have low energy. My periods became regular and pain-free. My mental focus and mood improved."
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Freelee went on, explaining the sucrose is the same sugar found in fruit, saying that it has more benefits for your body than anything, claiming: "It became obvious: the problem was never sugar. It was eating excess fat and protein."
Speaking more on the positive impacts she has had under the diet, she further explained that the shift in lifestyle was 'logical', pointing out: "I’m 45 and thriving in a tropical climate most would consider skin-damaging.
"I’m often told I look 10 years younger. Fruits and sugar have literally hydrated and healed me from the inside out."
As a result of what she's seen, Freelee says that she is 'thriving', and not declining, as she added that 'sugar doesn't cause disease in a low-fat context'.
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"What harms people is fat-induced insulin resistance, under-eating, and a diet designed for war, not wellbeing," the social media personality added.
The influencer, who boasts over 451,000 followers on Instagram, even revealed that doctors have been 'surprised' by the results of her blood tests over the years, 'especially given the stigma around sugar.'
While health bodies such as the NHS highlight the importance of a balanced diet, Freelee has challenged the status quo and gone against what most medical professionals would advise.
Dr. Hana Patel, Mental Health specialist and GP Medico-Legal Expert Witness, told LADbible: "Diets high in fruit and vegetables are linked to a lower risk of diseases like heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
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"Fruit and vegetables provide a range of essential nutrients and fibre, as well as chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants that may have health benefits," adding that they can help maintain 'healthy weight' due to its low calorie-count.
But this isn't what Freelee believes, as she claimed that she is 'getting more nutrition than 99 percent of the population eating wartime food all day,' using tinned beans and processed breads as examples.
While she outlined the biggest challenge with her lifestyle as 'access to quality fruit', Freelee added: "When that’s missing, your meals lose magic, that’s why I recommend adding sugar, aka sun crystals."
In a message to the public, she claimed: "Don’t mistake your fear for fact. Fruit and sugar isn’t your enemy, fat is. You’ve been lied to by an industry profiting off your confusion."
Further claiming that sugar 'becomes your friend' when you get rid of the fatty acids and excess protein, the influencer says that, as a result, it will no longer be 'your downfall'.
Topics: Health, Vegan, Lifestyle, Food And Drink
Joshua Nair