You may be among the many who would like to shed unwanted pounds quickly and without depriving yourself. That's the appeal of fad diets like the so-called "Mayo Clinic grapefruit diet." However, the grapefruit diet is not endorsed by the Mayo Clinic and never has been.
Identification
The grapefruit diet has been around for decades in one form or another. Some versions also emphasize the consumption of cabbage, eggs and even bacon, according to Every Diet. The common feature is the use of grapefruit as an aid in burning fat. There is an official Mayo Clinic Diet which the clinic made available online starting in December 2005, but this is far different than the grapefruit diet.
Features
The grapefruit diet lasts for 12 days, after which you take two days off. This cycle is repeated for several months. You are supposed to eat one-half grapefruit before every meal. Caffeine and between-meal snacks should be avoided. Meals consist of eggs at breakfast and any amount or cut of meat for all meals. Red, green and yellow vegetables are allowed. Salads and the use of butter are encouraged. Carbohydrates and white vegetables are prohibited, as are dairy products except for a glass of skim milk at bedtime.
Claims
Proponents of the grapefruit diet claim that grapefruit is a catalyst to the fat-burning process, enabling the dieter to lose 50 to 55 pounds in 10 weeks. However, there is no evidence the grapefruit diet burns fat. Proponents also state starches are lipids and can form fat, so they are excluded from the allowed menu. In fact, starch is a complex carbohydrate, not a lipid. Fats are lipids and do not help burn fat as the diet claims. Fats contain fatty acids the body can use to form fat.
Problems
Some people do report significant weight loss using the grapefruit diet. According to the Diet Channel, this appears to be a result of reduced appetite induced by eating the grapefruit immediately before each meal. However, it's unlikely the weight lost will last, since a person's appetite will return to normal when he stops the diet. MayoClinic.com points out that a serious concern with diets like this is lack of adequate nutrition. The grapefruit diet virtually excludes grains and dairy products, which are two of the food groups required for a balanced diet. High consumption of fats is linked to an increased risk of conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
Healthy Weight Loss
It is possible to eat a healthy, nutritious and enjoyable diet and still lose weight. In addition to the official Mayo Clinic Diet, MayoClinic.com endorses other heart-healthy plans like the Mediterranean diet. Both diets use adaptations of the food pyramid as a guideline to help you eat properly. The Mayo Clinic Diet in particular is geared mainly toward weight loss. An important point is that physical exercise, not just diet, is stressed. You don't want to lose muscle when you are dieting. In addition, physical activity burns calories and, hence, helps you lose weight. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes several times a week of continuous physical activity. You don't have to run marathons. A brisk walk or yard work is sufficient as long as you keep moving.
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