Health Tips

Which grapefruit Diet?

There seem to be two distinct grapefruit diets. The first is outlined just below, but the second seems much more interesting. It is a diet studied and reported on by the Scripps Clinic in San Diego in January 2004.

The original Grapefruit Diet

Here is the basic diet.

Breakfast:

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

Lunch:

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

Dinner:

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

Bedtime Snack:

1.8oz. glass of tomato juice or 8 oz cup of skim milk.

My Opinion…

I do not think you can stay on this diet for very long. I do think you can use this as a crash diet for quick weight loss, but I am pretty sure the weight will come right back.

The Scripps Study

The grapefruit diet in the Scripps study involved two groups. One ate a half a grapefruit with each meal. The other drank a glass of grapefruit juice three times a day – not necessarily with meals.

In the study, the participants kept eating the way they had before the study. The only food change was the addition of the grapefruit or grapefruit juice. There apparently was also a little bit of exercise routine involved.

RESULTS

Those eating 1/2 grapefruit with each meal lost an average of 3.6 pounds in 12 weeks.

Those drinking 3 glasses of grapefruit juice a day lost an average of 3.3 pounds in 12 weeks.

Why?

To quote the report I read, “the research indicates a physiological link between grapefruit and insulin, as it relates to weight management. The researchers speculate that the chemical properties of grapefruit reduce insulin levels and encourage weight loss.”

My Conclusions

The original grapefruit diet is not a long-term solution to weight loss.

The addition of grapefruit or grapefruit juice to a solid weight loss program is probably beneficial. However, a note of caution, I am aware the grapefruit does have some know problems in interacting with various medicines. Before using either of these approaches, please check for possible interactions with your doctor or pharmacists.

My Recommendations

I continue to recommend one of these three solid weight loss programs for anyone serious about permanent weight loss and better health.