The grapefruit diet has been in existence since the 1930s and has undergone several transformations since that time. Unlike the Atkins or South Beach diet, there is no clear creator of the new and improved grapefruit diet, which is the grapefruit diet's most recent incarnation. The new and improved diet is different from older versions in that there are fewer restrictions.
History
According to the nutritional resource website Diet.com, the grapefruit diet of the 1930s, also known as the Hollywood diet, was a strict eating regimen that people would typically adhere to for a one- or three-week period. The diet required that you eat half a grapefruit for each meal, with little else besides a bit of lean meat and salad. Drinking small amounts of coffee with meals was also allowed. During the 1960s, the diet reappeared with fewer restrictions; however, it was still a VLCD, or very low-calorie diet.
Evidence
Since the advent of grapefruit dieting, people have touted grapefruits for their incredible fat-burning abilities. As the New York University Langone Medical Center notes, there is no direct evidence showing that grapefruits can encourage the fat-burning process. However, a 2004 study led by the Scripps Clinic did show that incorporating grapefruit into every meal for a 12-week period can contribute to increased weight loss. Throughout the study, the 91 volunteers were allowed to consume whatever they wanted in addition to the grapefruit.
Requirements
During the 1970s, the requirements for a grapefruit diet changed considerably. This new and improved diet shifted its focus from being low-calorie to being high-protein. As Diet.com notes, a typical breakfast could include two eggs and two pieces of bacon in addition to grapefruit, while lunches and dinner could include salad and unlimited meat. Despite its seemingly lenient nature, this high-protein grapefruit diet is still more restrictive than newer grapefruit diets. These diets use the 2004 Scripps Clinic study as their basis and simply require the incorporation of grapefruit into a regular eating regime.
Rules and Restrictions
If you plan on adhering to the "new" grapefruit diet of the 1970s, be prepared to consume massive amounts of bacon and salad, as it is "illegal" to skip them at mealtime, according to Diet.com. Also, several foods are banned under the diet, including peanut butter, pasta, potato chips, celery and peas, and you are not allowed to eat between meals. When following the 2004 grapefruit diet, these rules and restrictions do not apply; the objective is to maintain a balanced diet while simply adding grapefruit.
Pills
One of the more modern innovations in grapefruit dieting is that people are consuming grapefruit in pill form. The Scripps Clinic study showed that taking the pills, like eating a grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, is effective at encouraging weight loss. According to the Good Housekeeping's website, these grapefruit pills are capsules that contain dehydrated grapefruit particles. Some manufacturers also incorporate other nutrients into the pills, such as B-6, apple cider vinegar and chromium.
Member Comments