Lose Weight with the Grapefruit Diet
The grapefruit diet first emerged in the 1930’s, but rose to prominence in the 1970’s. However, for some reason has fallen out of favour. Grapefruit are packed with vitamins and, not only is it a nutritional additional to any diet, it also has the super ability to block those enzymes responsible for the way we store fat; in short, t he humble grapefruit can prevent us from piling on the pounds.
Just one of these fruits per day is enough to harness some of the great benefits the grapefruit diet promises. The high vitamin content will boost your immune system, improve circulatory function and can help prevent certain types of cancer. When eaten in a specific way, it can also help you lose weight.
Grapefruit: the facts
The grapefruit is packed with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 C, and E. It also contains phytonutrients, bioflavanoids and betacarotene. Nutritionists agree that a glass of juiced grapefruit in your diet can help:
- strengthen blood vessels
- lower cholesterol levels
- improve kidney and digestive function by helping to eliminate toxins
- improve symptoms associated with varicose veins
- improve circulatory problems
- lower your risk of developing certain cancers
- strengthen hair and nails
- eradicate intestinal parasites
- reduce inflammation of the prostate
- promote healthy coagulation
- promote white blood cell production
- regulate tension
Eating a whole grapefruit has over 300 phytonutrients which can support a healthy cardiovascular system. In fact, just 150g of grapefruit contains:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 0 grams
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbohydrates: 16 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Sugar: 10 grams
- Protein: 1 grams.
Losing weight with the grapefruit diet
Grapefruit is a very filling food and will keep you well satiated. It is a diuretic and the combination of this, the properties listed above plus as a period of semi-fasting will lead to weight loss. You should not stay on the grapefruit diet for more than 3-4 days at a time and no more than twice in any month. This is because the diet is not nutritionally complete. You will not be getting enough calcium, iron or other important elements of a healthy diet. That being said, the grapefruit diet is very useful to lose several pounds quite quickly.
Example menu
Day 1
- Breakfast: Half a grapefruit. Coffe or tea (with no sugar).
- Lunch: Grapefruit juice. 1 cooked egg. A rocket, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad. Use a little bit of lemon for dressing. Whole wheat toast and a slice of pineapple for dessert.
- Dinner: Half a grapefruit. A lettuce salad with apple vinegar dressing. 150 grams of grilled turkey breast.
Day 2
- Breakfast: Half a grapefruit and chamomile tea.
- Lunch: A glass of grapefruit juice. A spinach and walnut salad. Cooked white rice with a little bit of olive oil. A few small slices of papaya for dessert.
- Dinner: A glass of grapefruit juice. 150 grams of baked salmon. A tomato salad. A slice of pineapple.
Day 3
- Breakfast: Half a grapefruit. A cup of coffee or tea.
- Lunch: A glass of grapefruit juice. Baked eggplant. Whole wheat fast with a little bit of olive oil. An apple.
- Dinner: A glass of grapefruit juice. A lettuce, spinach, walnut, and turkey breast salad, with lemon as a dressing. Papaya juice.
It’s important to note that grapefruit acts as a diuretic and you will need to drink at least 2 litres of water per day to stay hydrated. If you find that you are hungry in between meals then eat an apple; both healthy and filling it will not add any extra calories. The grapefruit diet is fairly restrictive and you should not look at this as a lifestyle change but as an option for regular weight loss; perhaps twice a month. We cannot recommend the importance of a balance diet, regular exercise and avoiding the intake of toxins such as alcohol and foods high fat, sugar and carbohydrates.
