Fruit or Starch - Which one is better?

This is a controversial topic among the low fat vegan crowd.
My take on it is that both fruits and starches may have their place.


"PROS" OF FRUIT:


-EASY TO EAT. The real fast food from nature. Grab it and eat it.

-GREAT SOURCE OF QUICK BURNING ENERGY. Full of simple sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), they give a good burst of energy for a pre-workout. They're also suitable for post-workout, for their capacity to restore the glycogen stores quickly.

-EASY TO DIGEST. It only takes from a few minutes to up to 1-2 hours to be fully digested.

-LOW GI. Most fruits have a low glycemic index, due to their high water and fiber content.

-NUTRITIOUS. All fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, water and phytonutrients.

-HYDRATING. Excellent for the hot weather. They are refreshing and hydrating.

-SWEET AND TASTY. Most people have a sweet tooth, and fruit fulfills our cravings!



"PROS" OF STARCHES:


-EASY TO STORE. Grains and legumes last for several months (or years) when kept in a dry and cool place. One can stock up on them and forget about it.
Roots and tubers also last quite some time if stored in the proper conditions.

-CHEAP. Nobody could argue that there is no food cheaper than starches. Rice, potatoes, oatmeal, etc. They're the cheapest source of calories on the planet.

-GREAT SOURCE OF SLOW BURNING ENERGY. They make you feel satisfied and are good as a pre-workout meal.

-WARMING. You may feel the need to eat warming and heavier foods during the colder months. Starches are good for that purpose.

-SATISFYING. Their complex carbohydrate content digests slowly and gives you a steady release of energy, leaving you satisfied for longer. The fiber also helps to fill up your stomach.


Basically, both fruits and starches have their own advantages.
The disadvantages are more of a personal thing. For example, some people find fruits to not be satisfying for them, or starches to be bland without adding salt or seasonings.

I find that some people may prefer more dense foods or savory foods, so they choose starches over fruit, whereas other people like to eat sweeter and more water rich foods, like fruits.
As I said before, it's really a matter of preference. Both of them are perfectly fine and can provide you with great energy and help you achieve optimal health.

Personally, I tend to favor fruit for taste and for how they make me feel after eating it. I feel satisfied, lighter and ready to go, as opposed to a meal of starches, which makes me feel a little bit heavier.
That doesn't mean I avoid starches, though. I like to eat them too, especially in winter!

Another thing that I consider to be important is to distinguish between starches. Not all are created equal, and some are more nutritionally dense than others, but that's a whole another topic for a future post.

Eat according to your preferences, and don't be caught in the all-or-nothing mindset. You can eat both fruits and starches and achieve your goals!