Amount of Fructose in Nutrimeals is Healthy

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It is understandable that there is much confusion about fructose, especially with all the information being circulated about high-fructose corn syrup, raw fructose, corn-syrup solids, etc. And, while it is true that excessive amounts of any of these would not be healthy (as is the case with pretty much everything), moderate intakes of these ingredients within the context of a healthy diet are simply not dangerous or unhealthy.

Fructose is nothing more than a simple sugar found primarily in fruits and vegetables. One advantage of using fructose is that it has a very low glycemic index compared to glucose and some other sugars, while still being quite sweet (thus allowing for lower dosages without a penalty to taste). Yes, it is metabolized slightly different from glucose, but it does not automatically turn to fat or cause negative effects on blood lipids despite what some websites may suggest. Much of fructose's metabolism depends on the dosages used and the activity level and caloric requirements of the individual.

As with any excess calories - whether from protein, fat, or carbohydrates - fructose can contribute to weight gain. But again, the key is dosage. If fructose alone were responsible for causing weight gain, most vegetarians would tend to be heavier than they are since vegetarians' fruit intakes are generally quite high. The amount of fructose contained in the Nutrimeals is fairly similar to several commonly eaten fruits, as the following table shows:


Fruit or Fruit Juice
Serving Size
Grams per Serving
Glucose
Fructose
Sucrose
Total Sugars
Apples
1 apple
3.2
10.5
4.6
18.4
Apple cider
8 fl oz
6.2
13.9
4.2
27.0
Bananas
1 banana
4.8
3.1
7.4
17.8
Blackberries
1 cup
4.5
5.9
0.6
11.4
Blueberries
1 cup
5.1
5.2
0.3
10.6
Cantaloupe
1/2 melon
3.2
4.8
14.4
23.2
Figs, dried
10 figs
53.5
48.6
12.2
124.4
Grapes
20 grapes
3.2
3.4
0.6
7.8
Grape Juice
8 fl oz
9.0
11.0
(15.5)
35.5
Mangos
1 mango
1.5
6.0
20.5
30.6
Nectarines
1 nectarine
1.6
1.5
8.4
11.6
Oranges
1 orange
2.9
3.3
5.5
11.7
Orange Juice
8 fl oz
6.9
7.4
10.2
25.3
Papaya
1 papaya
4.3
8.2
5.5
17.9
Peaches
1 peach
1.0
1.1
4.9
7.6
Pears
1 pear
3.2
10.6
3.0
17.4
Pineapple
1 cup diced
4.5
3.3
4.8
18.4
Prunes, dried
5 prunes
14.1
7.3
0.2
21.6
Raspberries
1 cup
4.3
3.9
3.4
11.7
Strawberries
1 cup
3.3
3.7
1.5
8.6
Watermelon
1/16 melon
7.7
15.9
17.4
43.4

This table presents information on the sugar content of 21 common fruits and fruit juices. Values are for normal serving sizes, and they represent blended averages across multiple cultivars and samples of their respective food. Individual values are presented for the three major sugars found in fruits (glucose, fructose, and sucrose). In addition, values for total sugars (which may include other minor sugars, such as mannitol and sorbitol) are given. The data presented were taken from a United States Department of Agriculture publication titled Sugar Content of Selected Foods (1987).

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation easily available on the internet and many people accidentally recycle that information without fully understanding what it claims. Sometimes the information may even be partially valid, but inappropriately taken out of context and used to draw incorrect conclusions.

Either way, the bottom line is that good health requires variety, balance, and moderation. USANA Scientists do not advocate eating only fructose as a sweetener, but it does have a place - in appropriate amounts - in healthy products.

In other words: there is a difference between getting fructose as a sweetener in a soda or some other nutrient-poor food, or getting it as part of a balanced diet.

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