A university student from the UK, who became obsessed with an extreme "fruitarian" diet, tragically died in her hotel room in Bali, weighing just 3.5 stone.
Karolina Krzyzak, originally from Warsaw, Poland, had adopted a raw-fruit-only diet when she was 19.
Over the years, the 27-year-old's obsession with body image and "clean eating" gradually deteriorated her health, ultimately leading to her death.
The Fruitarian Diet and Its Devastating Impact
Karolina started her journey into veganism and then fruitarianism while studying at Leeds University.
The diet is known for its extreme restriction of essential nutrients, including protein, fats, and omega-3s, The Mirror reported.
The young woman became increasingly fixated on this diet and her body image, regularly posting images of her thin frame and smoothie bowls on Instagram.
Karolina's health began to decline significantly. Her online friend, Emilia, revealed that she developed osteoporosis, and an albumin deficiency led to oedema, causing swelling in her feet.
Despite these warning signs, she refused medical help, instead opting to stay true to her fruitarian lifestyle.
Friends noted her alarming physical decline, with one recalling that Karolina confided in her that her family thought she had been “brainwashed by vegans and social media".
"She needed medical and psychological help, and the community often validated her behaviours instead," the friend shared.
Health Deteriorates Further in Bali
In 2024, Karolina traveled to Bali, hoping to connect with other fruitarians in Ubud, a hotspot for raw-vegan enthusiasts.
However, by the time she arrived at the Sumberkima Hill resort in December, her condition had deteriorated to the point where she could barely maintain her balance.
Hotel staff described her as “emaciated,” with sunken eyes and her collarbone visibly protruding. The night clerk even had to assist her to her room as she couldn’t support her own weight.
Despite her severe state, Karolina instructed hotel staff to only serve her fruit and bring meals directly to her door.
According to The Daily Mail, over the next few days, she rarely left her room, though staff continued to deliver her fruit. She would occasionally sit on the veranda, but eventually, she lacked the energy even for that.
After a few days of silence, a local acquaintance from a raw-vegan café in Ubud, who had planned to meet with Karolina, became worried when she didn’t hear from her.
When staff checked on her, they discovered her lifeless body in her hotel room.
Struggles With Family and Health
After the university student's family noticed her drastic weight loss, they urged her to return home and seek treatment for what appeared to be an eating disorder.
However, she quickly resumed her fruitarian lifestyle even after spending time in an inpatient clinic in 2018.
Many people have now shared their condolences on the late woman's Instagram page, where she boasts 2,320 followers.
"Caro, you will be missed. May your soul finds peace now," one user said. "My condolences. Even if I didn't know you, I'm saddened to know I never did," another said.
Our thoughts are with Karolina's loved ones at this time.