Grapefruit Diet

The Grapefruit Diet Overview

Grapefruit diet began in 1930s as the Hollywood Diet and is still one of the most popular free diet plans. The grapefruit diet claims that grapefruit contains a special fat-burning enzyme that activated when you eat half a grapefruit along with small amounts of other food for each meal.

Many medical experts argued that this free diet program has no scientific evidence to back up its claim that grapefruit is some magic fat burner.

And, at the time, some nutrition experts dismissed it as another fad diet, citing the fact that the ‘fat-burning’ properties of grapefruit were, in fact, a myth and any weight loss that occurred was due to the extremely low and potentially dangerous calorie intake.

A 2004 study did put the grapefruit diet in favor with some. Led by Dr. Ken Fujioka at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic found in a 12-week pilot study that on average, participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost 3.6 pounds , while those who drank a serving of grapefruit juice three times a day lost 3.3 pounds. Additionally, many patients in the study lost more than 10 pounds.

These days the medical experts are still skeptical – Here is what they say about the Grapefruit Diet:

“There is no evidence that grapefruit has fat-burning enzymes nor is it a magic bullet for weight loss” says American Dietetic Association president-elect, Connie Diekman. “On again, off again diets perpetuate the misunderstanding of healthy weight loss,” says Washington University Nutrition Director, Diekman. “Sure, you will lose weight, but it will be primarily fluids and not the fat associated with health risks. And most people regain it as fast as they lost it — so why bother?” she says. Healthy weight loss is a process not a promise.

While the grapefruit diet has has gotten a bad rap, in truth grapefruit is one of several fat burning foods because the citrus in it helps to  improve insulin levels and lessens hunger. Grapefruit is low in calories and satisfies hunger and is a great addition to daily meal plan.

Researchers at Scripps Clinic found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The study indicates that unique chemical properties in this fat burning food reduces insulin levels and aids fat burning and weight loss. NOTE: Some medications have adverse effects to grapefruit, check with your doctor.

The Grapefruit Diet plan

You must eat grapefruit at every meal. You have the choice of eating 1/2 a grapefruit or drinking 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.

The grapefruit diet does not allow most complex carbs. Consumption of most vegetables is encouraged and can prepare them in generous amounts of butter. Coffee or tea is allowed.

The Rules

• Drink  a minimum of eight 8-oz glasses/ 64-oz  of water every day. Water is essential for all body functions and has no calories.

• Follow the exact amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice suggested. The grapefruit act as a catalyst that starts the fat burning process.

• Although coffee is allowed, dieter should allow themselves  maximum 1 cup a day as it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning process.

• No eating between meals. Stick to the stipulated meal time.

• Eat till completely full and satisfied to prevent later hunger.

• You may double or triple portions of meat, salad or vegetables.

• Do not eliminate anything from the diet. Especially the bacon at breakfast and the salads because  the combination of specific foods in the grapefruit diet is designed to burn fat.

• Generous amount of butter, salad dressing and meat or fish cooked anyway, including fried, is acceptable in food preparation.

• Exercise during the diet is not recommended due to the severe restriction of calories and calories are required for exercise.

• This diet is not recommended for more than 12 days. Those who want to continue must take at least 2 days off before doing so.

The Grapefruit Diet Meal Plan

Eat grapefruit at every meal. Either a 1/2 a grapefruit or 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Absolutely no complex carbs. Most vegetables are encouraged and should be prepared with lots of butter.

Breakfast

1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. of unsweetened grapefruit juice
2 eggs prepared any way you choose
2 slices of bacon

Lunch

1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. of unsweetened grapefruit juice
Unlimited Meat
Salad with Dressing

Dinner

1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. of unsweetened grapefruit juice
Meat or Fish – any style cooked any way.
Salad with dressing
1 cup of coffee or tea

Bedtime

8oz. glass of tomato juice or 8 oz cup of skim milk.

In the Grapefruit Diet you can use all the butter and salad dressing you desire and prepare foods in any method, including fried. Snacking is only permitted after dinner. Make sure to at all of the approved foods.