THE GRAPEFRUIT DIET

The Grapefruit Diet has been around since the 1930s, some believing it to be the progenitor of the Atkins Diet. This diet, as you might imagine, is based on grapefruit consumption. Legend has it that certain grapefruit ingredients, when combined with protein, trigger a fat-burning response. Actual evidence of this remains scant, but word of mouth, tradition,and legions of satisfied dieters have kept this meal plan in the public eye for decades.   

What to Eat

For breakfast, the Grapefruit Diet offers eggs, bacon, grapefruit, and black coffee. For lunch, there is salad with dressing, as much meat as you can eat, and a ½ grapefruit with 8 oz of grapefruit juice. For dinner, it’s salad again with unlimited meat, a ½ grapefruit with 8 oz of grapefruit juice. Red or green vegetables are also allowed. For a bedtime snack, try 8 oz of skim milk.

While on the Grapefruit Diet, it’s recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Participants are can drink all the tea and coffee they want, just so long as the coffee’s black, without cream or sugar.

What NOT to Eat on the Grapefruit Diet

Complex carbohydrates are frowned upon in this diet, along with between-meal snacking. Veggies are okay, however, and can be slathered in butter, if you like.

Effects of the Grapefruit Diet

The Grapefruit Diet works because it’s a low-calorie diet. It is not meant to be followed on an ongoing basis. Many people report 10-12 pound weight loss in the first 12 days, but usually gain some of it back when they go off the diet.  There have also been reports of dizziness and “coffee stomach,” because the diet allows participants to drink as much coffee as they like.

Recommendation            

For those wanting to lose weight through a healthier lifestyle and sustainable diet, the Grapefruit Diet is not a good choice. It lacks the proper nutrition for the long term, and its success is mainly attributable to its low-calorie intake.

Although many people, celebrities included, have had success with this diet, it is important for you to consult with your doctor or health expert before committing to this meal plan. As with all diets, it is essential to find the one that best fits your body and lifestyle.