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Diet Plans - Grapefruit Diet

Grapefruit Diet

This consists of a 21-day so-called 'diet' of grapefruit, a little protein and not much else. Despite many ludicrous claims, grapefruit (like cabbage) does not possess any 'fat-burning' properties. Still, grapefruit diet gurus insist that most people who try the program for a week or two will probably lose somewhere between 12 and 20 pounds. They claim that grapefruit contains enzymes that make our body burn fat for energy, resulting in quick and easy weight loss.

The Plan of The Diet
Although there are quite a few different versions of this plan, all require that you eat half a grapefruit before every meal to reap the benefits of the fat-burning enzymes. Calories typically are limited to less than 800 per day; although some versions require that you "eat until you are stuffed."

Example of a Day on the Grapefruit Diet
Breakfast:
  • Half a grapefruit
  • Plain coffee or tea.
Lunch:
  • Half a grapefruit
  • Two eggs
  • Cucumber and tomato salad with vinegar, lemon and herbs dressing
  • One piece of dry melba toast
  • Plain tea or water
Dinner:
  • Half a grapefruit
  • 4-6 ounces of chicken or beef or ham slices
  • Half a head of lettuce and a tomato with vinegar, lemon and herbs dressing
  • Plain tea or water

Advantages of The Diet
If you love grapefruit, this plan is for you. Grapefruit is fat free, low in calories and full of vitamin C. Pink grapefruits also contain some beta-carotene. You don't have to count calories. However, eating a few grapefruits hardly justifies calling it a 'diet'.

Disadvantages of the The Diet
The very low calorie diet and encouragement to drink copious amounts of beverages containing caffeine make this diet dangerous.Lacking sufficient iron, calcium, and many vitamins, this 'diet' is unhealthy as well as monotonous. Also, it contains far too few calories (less than 800). Any diet that relies so much on a single food is too restrictive. Needless to say, it doesn't help you to change your eating habits which is the No 1 secret of permanent weight loss.