Featured Image Credit: Instagram/carolina.mariie
Topics: Life, World News
Callum Jones
A 27-year-old woman tragically starved to death in her Bali hotel room after going on an experimental 'fruitarian' diet.
The Cut reports Polish-native Karolina Krzyzak checked into the Sumberkima Hill resort in Bali in December 2024, with the former Leeds University student requesting a villa with a pool.
However, staff at the hotel were left 'shocked' when Karolina arrived at the resort, as workers reported she was 'emaciated' with sunken eyes and her collarbone visible out of her flesh.
Karolina was that fragile she was carried to her room by a night clerk upon checking in, which lead to staff members asking her if she wanted medical help.
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It was a firm no from Karolina, while hotel workers urged her to seek medical assistance the next day. Once again, they were issued with a firm no.
Hotel staff continued to visit Karolina over the next few days, as they delivered only fruit to her door - with such a diet being pretty common at the retreat.
But with the Polish native's physical appearance, staff kept a close eye on her.
The Cut states Karolina's health worsened to the point where staff had to help her turn over in her bed, and worries worsened soon after following a phone call from an individual who had met Karolina while traveling.
They had expressed concern they hadn't heard from their backpacking buddy and asked hotel staff to check if she was alright.
Upon entering her room, staff found Karolina stiff and motionless on the floor. She had tragically died.
Amid a struggle with anorexia, Karolina adopted a fruitarianism diet - a vegan diet that consisting primarily of fruits, and sometimes supplemented by the likes of nuts and seeds.
However, dietician Melainie Rogers told The Cut that it is 'absolutely not a sustainable way of eating'. Karolina weighed just three-and-a-half stone at the time of her death.
Prior to her death, the outlet reports that Karolina would often open up to her friends about feeling weak and having low energy.
"You’re not getting sufficient protein or fats or omega-3s. The body is essentially running on empty," Rogers added.
Registered dietitian Kate Patton told Cleveland Clinic that a fruitarian diet is 'not usually recommended by dietitians' and has a 'big risk of malnourishment'.
While fruit in moderation is healthy, it should only make up a maximum of 25 to 30 percent of your diet.
Patton added: "You might lose weight on the fruitarian diet, but I don’t consider this a true benefit, because you are likely losing muscle."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat