Question: Sometimes I eat four pieces of fruit a day. Often in the morning, before I don't feel like sandwiches until after one o'clock in the afternoon. Actually, I've been doing this for years and I'm maintaining a good weight. But am I not getting too many fruit sugars? S.H.
Dietician Lenny Versteegden: “Four pieces of fruit a day is fine, but stick with it. Fruit contains (albeit natural) sugars, and too much of it can affect your weight. Fruit is rich in vitamin C, a vitamin you need for a good resistance. Vitamin C has been in the spotlight lately for its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants may offer protection against the development of cardiovascular diseases and the accelerated aging process. That's why I don't lean towards the famous two pieces of fruit a day, but more towards more generous measures:more than two pieces. Especially if you smoke, have diabetes or exercise a lot. I see fruit as a snack, by the way. A breakfast only with fruit is very little.'
