The grapefruit diet is a fad diet, the likes of which seem to come from nowhere every now and then. A grapefruit diet involves consuming large amounts of grapefruit, it is that simple. The theory behind the grapefruit diet is simple enough. The fruit, it is claimed, contains an enzyme that actually helps you burn fat. One thing though with grapefruit diet as with other kinds of fad diets is the lack of substantial proof behind the theory. Grapefruit diet could be said to be one of the offshoots of the modern generations’ obsession with losing weight and appearing attractive.

Grapefruit as such is a healthy fruit. The fruit is known to contain literally no fat at all. It however contains large amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants in the form of beta-carotene, a little bit of sodium, and some fiber to go along with all these nutrients. However, nutritionists advise against this kind of fad diet, because a diet based on only fruit is considered nutritionally unsound. Grapefruit diet may help people reduce total calorie intake, but on the flip side it may not be able to supply you with an ideal number of nutrients. Needless to say, a balanced diet consisting of all the essential nutrients is needed for sustaining good health. Research has also shown that eating large amounts of grapefruit often causes diarrhea.

Critics point out that the grapefruit diet is like any other mythic fad diets, which come and go every now and then. Since it is important that you eat a balanced diet, it is better that you don’t eat much of anything, including grapefruits. You can, for instance, take a healthy helping of grapefruit, but along with other essential nutrients which are not found in the fruit. Balance is the key here. Just in case you want to try out the grapefruit diet, to be on the safer side, consult with your personal physician or dietician and ask him for suggestions about what is the safe amount of grapefruit that you can consume and what are the other things that you need to consume along with it for leading a healthy life.

Grapefruit Diet created because the “creator” believes grapefruit is effective when you mix it with all kinds of food. When you eat chickens, veggies, spinach, and other type of foods, you can also combine them with grapefruit. Grapefruit is good because it contains very few calories and it is free from fats.

So these people who suggested you to follow “Grapefruit Diet” believes you won’t get fat because of the grapefruits but you won’t get hungry anymore after you eat grapefruits. Let’s say in example, if you eat 2 chickens every dinner, you now only need to eat 1 chicken and replace the other chickens with grapefruits. Grapefruits contain few calories and free from fats, that’s why they recommend this type of diet to you.

The research in about 20 years ago proved the effectiveness of this diet. Usually we need to eat less than usual to help us lose weight, but with grapefruits, you don’t need to do that. Replace half of your meals with grapefruits and you will be fine. Do it everyday, in every dinner, every lunch, and every breakfast. You still need to take exercises daily (who said you don’t need to take exercises anyway?)

But with grapefruit diets, at least, you are one step ahead. Do you need to take exercises? Yes. But do you need to eat less than usual? No. You only need to replace half of your meals with grapefruits. So it is different with so many kinds of diet plans in this world which require you to eat less than before.

So in average, when you are practicing this grapefruit diet, you can lose 3-4 pounds in 2 months. Maybe you can categorize grapefruit diet as a slow diet. Yes, grapefruit diet is slow and can only help you lose 1-2 pounds every month. You’ll lose 1-2 pounds if you are discipline in your diet but if not, don’t hope you can lose even a single pound in one month. But without eat less than usual, we should think grapefruit diet is one of real diet plans because there are so many frauds in diet plans. If you are a man/woman with patience, you can try this diet. In long term, it is good for you.

General Grapefruit Diet Guidelines

* During this diet you should reduce your coffee consumption, it slows down the burning process. Only one cup a day
* Don’t eliminate anything from the diet. The combinations of food listed in the diet are important for the fat burning (especially bacon AND salads)
* Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day which means 64 oz. total daily
* Fry your food in butter and cover your vegetables generously with butter
* If you want you may double or even triple helpings of meat, salad or vegetables
* Never change the amount of grapefruit or juice. This has to do with the diet’s fat burning effect
* This diet allows no desserts, breads, white vegetables or sweet potatoes
* The diet does not allow eating between meals. If you follow the diet you will not get hungry
* Stay on the diet 12 days, then stop the diet for 2 days and repeat the dieting cycle for two and a half month (approximately 75 days)..
* On this diet you can eat until you are stuffed
* Never eat less than the minimum listed at each meal in this diet.

The Grapefruit Diet Plan

Breakfast:

* Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. unsweetened juice
* 2 eggs any style
* 2 slices of bacon

Lunch:

* Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. unsweetened juice
* Salad with any dressing
* Meat any style and any amount

Dinner:

* Either 1/2 grapefruit OR 8 oz. unsweetened juice
* Salad with any dressing OR a red or green vegetable cooked in butter or spices
* Meat or Fish any style cooked any way
* Coffee or Tea (1 cup)

Evening Snack:

* 8 oz. glass of tomato juice or 8 oz cup of skim milk.