Do you want to shed a few pounds in a short span? Do you not have time for exercise or jogging? If so, you should consider undertaking the grapefruit diet plan.
What Is The Grapefruit Diet?
The grapefruit diet plan was introduced in the US in the 1930s and it varies vastly across the US.
Some Grapefruit diet plans are very strict and demand that a person eats only grapefruit and drinks only its juice for ten full days!
Other grapefruit diet plans are more flexible and allow a person to eat protein and fiber-rich foods (both Veg and Non-Veg) along with a glass of grapefruit juice three times (during breakfast, lunch, and dinner) a day.
In the flexible grapefruit diet plan, a person consumes less than 1000 calories a day to stay in shape and in the rigid grapefruit diet plan, a person only burns calories by eating only grapefruit and drinking only its juice.
The Grapefruit Diet & Dietary Restrictions
Both the grapefruit diet plans forbid the intake of carbs and starch-rich food like rice, flour, potato, etcetera as that would be detrimental to the desired results. Consumption of other fruits is also forbidden.
They also forbid a person from doing exercises as that requires a lot of energy and the grapefruit diet program gives a person very little calories.
The main claim/attraction of the grapefruit diet program is that it helps people lose fat and weight quickly (a few pounds within a week). During the 1930s, many Hollywood actors and actresses endorsed this diet program and claimed that it helped them lose fat and weight quickly and stay in shape.
It was for this reason that the grapefruit diet program had nicknames like ‘10 Days 10 Pounds Off’ program or the ‘Hollywood Diet’ program.
How Grapefruit Diet Works
The grapefruit juice diet program is based on the qualities of the grapefruit to aid in weight-loss and to maintain nutritional levels in the body. Grapefruit is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fiber, and various minerals. It also has trace amounts of protein. It is also low on calories. It contains only 69 calories.
The Vitamins and fibers present in grapefruit help the body breakdown and burn fat quickly. Since it takes 100 calories to digest a grapefruit and since it gives only 69 calories in return, the body loses 31 calories every time it digests a grapefruit.
The various minerals and proteins present in grapefruit are used by the body for various purposes. Thus the grapefruit diet program helps a person lose fat and weight quickly while at the same time giving him all the nutrients he needs for maintaining good health.
What to eat on the grapefruit diet?
Kindly brace yourselves. The flexible kind of grapefruit diet program allows a person to eat protein and fiber-rich foods along with a glass of grapefruit juice during mealtimes. The foods can vary depending on whether a person is a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian.
In our article, we are only going to discuss the non-veg foods that are had with grapefruit juice.
The Grapefruit Diet Chart
The recommended grapefruit diet chart is as follows:
| Breakfast | 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, black coffee and a glass of grapefruit juice. |
| Lunch | Vegetable salad, red meat of any kind and a glass of grapefruit juice. |
| Dinner | Vegetable salad not containing peas or corn or potatoes, fish or meat of any kind and a glass of grapefruit juice. |
This chart must be followed for 10 to 12 days without fail to get the best results. Following this chart religiously will reduce a person’s fat and weight and keep him healthy.
What you can’t eat on a grapefruit diet program
Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you think. The grapefruit diet program restricts a person from eating foods that are rich in carbs and starch like peas, corn, potatoes, milk, rice, cereals, and sweets. Eating other fruits is also not allowed. One glass of grapefruit juice should be had after every meal.
No item in the diet chart should be omitted because every item plays its part in reducing the fat and weight of a person. Even if one item in the chart is omitted, it can cause the whole grapefruit diet program to become a failure.
Why the Grapefruit Diet Results Are So Amazing?
I’m sure that you’re all keen to know this so let’s dive right in. This topic is still under debate. Some people, including Hollywood stars, have claimed that it has helped them shed fat and weight quickly and stay in shape.
Some scientists in the US have questioned this program’s credibility and said that it didn’t work on them. Some people have said that they have benefited only marginally from this program.
Since this topic is controversial, I have listed a few reviews from people. Kindly read them and decide for yourself whether this program is worth undertaking.
Is there any protein in grapefruit?
Grapefruit has only trace amounts of protein. One grapefruit contains only one gram of protein. So it’s not a great protein supplement. Listed below are the nutritional facts on grapefruit.
| Calories | 69 |
| Carbs | 13 grams |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Fiber | 2 grams |
| Vitamin C | 64 grams |
| Vitamin A | 28 grams |
| Potassium | 5 grams |
| Thiamine | 4 grams |
| Folate | 4 grams |
| Magnesium | 3 grams |
The Grapefruit Diet alternatives
There are quite a few negative calorie fruits that can replace grapefruit in weight-loss programs.
- Apricots
- Watermelon
- Lemon
- Orange
- Berries (of any kind)
- Apples
- Cucumbers
Negative calorie vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, and cabbage (as in cabbage soup) can replace grapefruit in weight-loss diets. Mushroom in the fried or soup form can also be a good substitute for grapefruit.
Pros and Cons of the Grapefruit Diet Plan for weight loss
As with all programs, this too has advantages and disadvantages. They are:
Pros
- It is cost-effective to implement.
- Grapefruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and folate. It has a lot of nutritional value.
- It is a negative calorie fruit that aids in weight-loss.
- Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants like pectin and bioflavonoids that make a person look young and slows down the aging process.
- It reduces the risk of getting diabetes.
- It is rich in electrolytes that eradicate free radicals in the body and repair DNA damage.
- Grapefruit is very helpful in removing or dissolving inorganic calcium which may have formed in the cartilage of the joints, as in arthritis disease.
- Grapefruit cures Cold and Pneumonia.
- It removes/dissolves gallstones.
- Grapefruit is a natural antiseptic.
Cons
- One can’t exercise as grapefruit is low on calories.
- Some people feel that it’s too restrictive.
- Grapefruit is a seasonal fruit that is available only during the winter season. Hence, its weight-loss program can’t be implemented during other seasons.
- Grapefruit can cause allergic reactions to people on certain medications. Please consult a doctor before undertaking this diet.
The Grapefruit Diet Plan & Exercise
Since grapefruit is low on calories, exercising after consuming it may cause a person to faint. So, exercise is not recommended after consuming grapefruit or drinking its juice.
What experts say about the grapefruit diet plan?
Many experts (scientists in the US) feel that while grapefruit is good for health, it does not deliver on its weight-loss myth. They feel that a person can even reduce his or her weight by taking low-calorie foods and doing some exercise. Moreover, they criticize that consuming grapefruit causes allergic reactions in people on some medications.
Conclusion
Judging by the numerous testimonials, grapefruit does aid in weight-loss. However, one should consult with a doctor as to whether taking grapefruit will cause allergic reactions. Even if the grapefruit weight-loss program fails, it will not have any harmful side-effects. So one can proceed with confidence if one is not allergic to grapefruit.
FAQs
1. Which medication causes an allergic reaction with grapefruit?
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) causes an allergic reaction with grapefruit.
2. Can grapefruit be taken with antidepressants?
Yes, they won’t have too serious reactions to it. So it’s okay.
3. Can diabetic people have grapefruit?
Yes, as it does cause blood-sugar levels to fall. Studies have shown that it is as effective as taking commercially available allopathic diabetic tablets.
4. Can grapefruit be used to treat kidney stones?
Yes, substances found in grapefruit can dissolve the inorganic Calcium found in kidney stones. Grapefruit can even eradicate gallstones.
