Woman who only eats fruit says diet has cured migraines
A woman says she managed to rid herself of crippling migraines and other health problems including acne and yeast infections - by eating only fruit.
Saša Dedić, 34, from Ljubljana in Slovenia, exists purely on a diet of fruit and some salad and says her plant-based regime has left her a picture of health.
The fruitarian ditched other food sources in 2014, following a period of veganism, and says – despite a number of nutritionists' warnings – she has cured all of her ailments with the diet.
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Feeling fruity: Saša Dedić claims that she's transformed her health after giving up all other food sources except fruit and some salad. The 34-year-old says her migraines, acne and yeast infections have all cleared up since she has followed the diet
The fruitarian says her unique regime is healthy but nutritionists have warned that she risks causing long-term health problems if she doesn't eat a more balanced diet
Dedić says she's also lost weight on the diet, after ditching veganism three years ago. She now buys her fruit in bulk to save money
A typical meal might include some salad items and fruits that are in season
Her previously spot-covered skin has cleared, she has toned up although still weighs the same at 58kg.
The yeast infections which used to plague her are a thing of the past and the migraines she had suffered with since she was just 11-years-old are also long gone.
Before adopting fruitarianism, Saša was briefly a vegan, for seven years a vegetarian and before that a meat eater.
Now, she cringes when she thinks back to what she used to eat: 'I ate chicken, pasta, grains, grazed on sweets, cheese and drank alcohol,' she said. 'Now, I can't imagine doing that.'
Saša, advocates fruitarianism, which means eating largely fruit and allows some salad and seeds, against the advice of nutritionists.
As I buy in bulk and from local growers it doesn't cost much. I used to spend more on sweets and junk food. Saša Dedić, fruitarian
They recommend a more balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables.
But Saša is adamant she is doing the right thing – even taking her own fruit to restaurants: 'I just explain and ask for a plate and people are generally nice,' she said.
She said overall people had been supportive, although her 85-year-old grandmother initially thought she was barmy.
But, having suffered from ill health, she was pleased about the positive impact fruit had on her.
'I had acne and repeated yeast infections before I ate just fruit,' she said.
Cheap: Dedić's favourite fruits are persimmons, which are widely available in her native Slovenia; she estimates she's saved a fortune living this way, and only spends around £4.25 on eating every day
The low-cost diet means she has more money to travel, which she spends on two-month breaks in Thailand
However, doctors have advised that her fruit-based diet isn't nutritionally adequate in the long term
'I also suffered from almost constant colds.
'Now, that's gone. I feel much healthier.' Saša, who works as a translator and a healthy lifestyle coach, tries to eat seasonally and source her fruit from local growers in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where she lives, meaning what she eats varies depending on the time of year.
As it is spring, Saša is currently enjoying more salads, although she still has up to two fruit-based meals a day.
But soon, it will be summer and there will be more opportunity to eat a larger variety of fruit again.
'Then I'll have watermelon, cherries, nectarines, peaches, melons, apricots and figs,' she said. 'I can't wait.' Come autumn, Saša will turn to one of her favourite fruit – persimmons, or Sharon fruit.
These small, orange fruits are popular in Slovenia and she buys them in bulk, leaving them to ripen at home.
On Christmas Day, when pals are tucking into turkeys, roast potatoes and veg, she is enjoying a ripe persimmon. With more persimmons for afters.
While Dedić says her health is currently good, nutritionists say it could lead to a 'deterioration of muscle and bone strength, anaemia, neurological symptoms such as tingling in hands and feet, fatigue and increased susceptibility to infections'
The yoga enthusiast says she doesn't worry about health warnings from professionals and will keep eating a fruit-only diet
'A lot of my friends who are fruitarians carry on eating them throughout winter,' she explained. 'But I travel to Thailand every year around January time and spend two months there.
'In Thailand, I enjoy tropical fruit like mango, papaya and durian.'
Saša spends about five euros (£4.25) a day on fruit in Slovenia, and less in Thailand.
The extra money she saves goes on travel.
'As I buy in bulk and from local growers it doesn't cost much. I used to spend more on sweets and junk food.' Saša, who learnt about a fruit-only diet on the internet, said she had never experienced any ill health as a result of eating only fruit.
'I know if you don't do it properly you might feel bloated or have stomach ache,' she said. 'But I eat only when I am hungry and now love my meals. 'I always look forward to my fruit.'
However, her diet has been criticised by nutritionists.
Shani Shaker, registered nutritional therapist and director of Golin Health, said: 'Adopting a fruitarian diet may help with weight loss in the short term but it's not nutritionally adequate on an ongoing basis and can lead to health problems if followed indefinitely.
'A plant-based diet can lead to deficiencies of calcium, vitamin D, B12 and iron.
'This can lead to a deterioration of muscle and bone strength, anaemia, neurological symptoms such as tingling in hands and feet, fatigue and increased susceptibility to infections.
'Also fruit contains a lot of sugar so this type of regimen would unbalance blood sugar, affecting mood, concentration and food cravings. I'd want to understand the motivation behind adopting such a regimented diet, if it's purely for weight loss there are much better approaches.'