The Grapefruit Diet
The Grapefruit Diet, one of the oldest diet programs since the 1930’s, has already helped a lot of dieters of all types. In some instances, this diet is also called as the Hollywood Diet or the Mayo Diet.
By now, aside from being one of the oldest, it is also considered as one of the most popular diet programs because of its short-term, quick weight loss approach.
So far, if compared to other diet programs, the Grapefruit Diet is more unique. It focuses on the “magic” or “wonder” grapefruits can impart. It seriously emphasizes that grapefruits, if eaten with protein, can theoretically trigger fat burning effects and therefore can induce weight loss. However, the weight lost is not actually from fat but instead just from fluids and therefore can be earned again when you go out of the diet program.
In total, dieters can lose almost 10 pounds in just within12 days. But to achieve this, you of course have to make some efforts, go for a regular exercise or physical activities.
Recommendations, Limitations and Restrictions
Generally speaking, the Grapefruit Diet is not that limiting and demanding. In fact, you
don’t have to count on your calories or be bothered about your method of preparing foods. The nicest thing with the Grapefruit Diet is you can have fried foods. You can also have all the butter and salad dressing you desire.
However, along with the allowed foods are the limited foods and some restrictions. In your every meal, you are encouraged to watch over your food intake, make sure you eat in small amounts. You are also encouraged to drink plenty of water, at least 64 ounces a day and if possible also black coffee, but this is optional.
Any food or beverages that are not included on the program are prohibited. In terms of grapefruit juice, remember that it must be unsweetened. About the snacks, well, have only one snack daily.
The Grapefruit Diet Works
The Grapefruit Diet works for almost all types of dieters because of its low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet approach. It emphasizes the “magic” of grapefruits on dieters. However, there are no explanations or evidences that could affirm the said “magic” of grapefruits.
According to some studies, though grapefruit is a very nutritious low-calorie fruit with only 66-84 calories per serving and has lots of vitamin C and fiber, it’s not clinically proven to be an effective fat burner. Somehow, it may trim down your insulin in the body and helps you not to overeat, but to some extent, it is not still formally considered as something that can effectively burn fat.
Insights of Some Experts
Because of some issues about effectiveness, Grapefruit Diet was not able to earn the trust of many health and fitness experts.
For American Dietetic Association president-elect, Connie Diekman, “there is no evidence that grapefruit has fat-burning enzymes nor is it a magic bullet for weight loss”. She also quoted that “sure you will lose weight, but it will be primarily fluids and not the fat associated with health risks. And most people regain it as fast as they lost it — so why bother?”.
Similarly, for the director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, Kelly Brownell, PhD, “there is no scientific basis to the claim that grapefruit is special in this way”. In addition, for him, “grapefruit is a good food, but so are other healthy foods like vegetables and other fruits”.
Why Grapefruit Diet
The Grapefruit Diet, despite all of its claims about grapefruits, is not still clinically approved to be really effective. According to the experts, it has a lot of pitfalls and flaws, and therefore should not be used by people who are looking for sustainable weight control. It also does not include mysterious fat-burning properties, therefore there’s no assurance that it could totally bring forth some miracle effects on your excess fats.