Durian Fruit For Weight Loss

Although fruits tend to be low in calories and beneficial for weight loss, not all fruits have the same nutritional values. For example, durian fruit, known in some areas as the king of fruits, is high in fat and calorie-dense, so it can be a poor choice for weight loss. Whether you include the durian fruit in your diet or not, you will need to consume a deficit of calories to lose weight.

Calories
Calories are the ultimate determinant of weight management; if you consume more than you need, you'll gain weight, but if you burn more than you eat, you'll lose weight. Durian fruit is high in calories, with 357 calories in each cup of chopped durian. This amount is much higher than an equivalent serving of many other fruits; 1 cup of chopped apple provides just 57 calories. If you ate 1 cup of chopped apple rather than 1 cup of chopped durian fruit each day, you'd save 2,100 calories in one week, enough to lose nearly 2/3 of a pound.

Fat
Durian is high in fat, with 13 grams in each cup of slices. Although some dietary fat is needed for optimal health, too much fat can be detrimental for dieting, as fat is calorie-dense. This can be problematic for weight loss. Research published in the October 1994 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" suggests that despite being higher in calories, high-fat foods are less filling than high-carbohydrate foods.

Carbohydrates
In addition to being high in fat, durian fruit is rich in carbohydrates. Each cup of sliced durian provides 66 grams of carbohydrates, meaning that durian provides 264 calories from carbohydrates alone. Carbohydrates are beneficial for providing energy for sports and everyday activities, but too many may detrimental for dieting. A study published in the February 2003 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" found that reducing carbohydrate intake improved fat and weight loss when dieting.

Protein
Durian fruit is low in protein, with only 3.5 grams in each cup. This means that protein contributes just 4 percent of the calories in durian. Protein consumption can help you gain muscle, and some research suggests it can aid in weight loss, as well. Research in the May 2008 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" explains that protein tends to be more filling than carbohydrates and fat and may encourage increased calorie burning.