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The Grapefruit Diet

is also known as the ‘Hollywood Diet’ because it dates back to 1930 Hollywood. The original creator is unknown. At the center of this program is of course, the grapefruit.

Grapefruits originally came from Barbados, where the climate is always warm and inviting. This sub-tropical citrus fruit has always been a source of Barbados pride and thus it is often called the Seventh wonder of Barbados. They were believed to possess a magic bean-like property which triggers fat burning when eaten with protein.

This ‘diets’ just as with other fad diets ”promises fast weight loss, usually at a rate of ten pounds in twelve days. Unfortunately, the weight loss is actually fluid drained from the body, not body fat. Though grapefruit is a very nutritious, low calorie food (66-84 calories per serving), and is loaded with vitamin C and fiber, it is not a magical fat burner in any way. Once you go off this diet, you will gain that fluid weight back.

This is a low carbohydrate, moderate protein diet that averages 800 to 1,000 calories per day. In comparison, the healthy recommended calorie intake per day is around 2,000 for most people. At this restricted calorie range, you would not need grapefruit in order to take off water weight.

There is not much variety in the allowed foods for this plan, though it does allow you to eat three times a day and at bedtime.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, black coffee, 1/2 grapefruit or 8 ounces grapefruit juice.

Lunch: Salad with dressing, unlimited meat, and 1/2 grapefruit or 8 ounces grapefruit juice.

Dinner: Red or green vegetables (except starchy ones such as peas, beans, corn, sweet potatoes) or salad, unlimited meat or fish, and 1/2 grapefruit or 8 ounces grapefruit juice.

You are allowed eight ounces of skim milk for a bedtime snack.

Also, you are encouraged to drink black coffee and 64 ounces of water throughout the day. Salad dressing and butter can be used as desired, but if you choose grapefruit juice it must be unsweetened. No other food or beverages are allowed.

Bottom line, this is a terrible fad diet; it is very low in calories, nutrient deficient, and it cannot be sustained beyond a matter of days. As with any other fad diet, The Grapefruit Diet is a very unhealthy short term solution for weight loss.

The Grapefruit Diet is just one of the most popular fad diet, to go back to the main page click here, fad diets why they are bad?