Grapefruit is a nutritious citrus fruit that is low in fat and calories, but it's not a magic bullet for weight loss. The grapefruit diet has been erroneously associated with medical centers and hospitals as an effective way to lose weight, but it is an unsafe and unsustainable fad diet. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet, particularly if you have medical conditions or allergies.
History of the Grapefruit Diet
The true origins of the grapefruit diet are unknown, but it has been popping up on the Internet as an effective way to lose weight. Some versions of the diet date back to the 1930s, but the popularity of the diet on the Internet gave it a new lease on life. The grapefruit diet has been inaccurately attributed to the Cleveland Clinic -- but according to the Cleveland Clinic, the diet is not condoned or recommended by the hospital. The diet's philosophy says grapefruit has fat-burning properties, causing rapid, drastic weight loss.
Grapefruit Diet Basics
The grapefruit diet involves eating high-protein diet, including half a grapefruit for every meal. For breakfast, dieters may eat half a grapefruit with two slices of bacon and three eggs. For lunch, dieters may eat any type of meat with a salad and half a grapefruit. For dinner, dieters may eat any type of meat with any type of steamed vegetables. The grapefruit diet cuts grains completely out of the diet and does not allow celery, potatoes or white onions. The grapefruit diet lasts for 12 days, then dieters take two days off. During these days, dieters can eat whatever they want, and then go back to the 12-day grapefruit diet plan again.
Dangers and Drawbacks
Because the grapefruit diet places grains and some vegetables off limits, it is not a varied or safe diet plan. Eating the same foods over and over again does not provide the body with adequate nutrition. Like any extremely low-calorie diet, you may lose weight while following the grapefruit diet, but this weight will return when you stop following the diet. Grapefruit does not contain any fat-burning properties, and is no different than consuming any other low-calorie fruit.
Healthier Ways to Lose Weight
Instead of forcing yourself to eat grapefruit for every meal, stick with a variation of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein for every meal. The grapefruit diet does not include an exercise program. Although it is possible to lose weight without exercising, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day will help you burn more calories and maintain your weight loss in the long run. Placing foods off limits will only frustrate you -- instead, focus on eating mostly healthy foods, and saving sweet treats and salty snacks for special occasions.
References
- Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma; Grapefruit Diet; March 2011
- Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland Clinic Diet; Melissa Stevens
- Health.com; The Grapefruit Diet; Maureen Callahan; April 2008
- EveryDiet: Grapefruit Diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Common-Sense Strategies to Long-Term Weight Loss; Michelle Murray; January 2011
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