Grapefruit for weight loss – What is the grapefruit diet?
The grapefruit diet has been around since the 20th century. It is a slimming diet, also called the Hollywood diet. It is based on daily consumption of grapefruits in the form of fresh fruit and juice. When used for two weeks it guarantees fast weight loss, and even loss of 10 kilograms.
Creators of the grapefruit diet claim that it is an excellent way to achieve intensive weight loss, thanks to its high content of enzymes. These promote the burning of fat in the body. Recent studies have shown that there is scientific evidence to this type of claim. The effectiveness of the grapefruit diet depends primarily on lowering the caloric value of meals and limiting the consumption of fats or carbohydrates.
Contents
What is the grapefruit diet about?
The grapefruit diet lasts two weeks. Three main meals and up to two snacks are eaten daily. Together they provide 800-1000 kcal. However, citrus fruit do not constitute a base part of the daily menu. They are only an inseparable addition to it. There are 2 types of grapefruit diet known. This diet is based on eating ½ grapefruit or drinking ½ glass of grapefruit juice, without added sugar. It should be drunk during or after each meal. Another variant recommends the consumption of 2-3 fruit a day and additionally, if we feel like it, 2-3 glasses of juice as a snack.
When following such a grapefruit diet we must limit our intake of fats and complex carbohydrates. This means that we must give up fried dishes, red meat, all sweets, fatty dairy products, butter, oil, as well as salt, which retains water in the body.
On the menu, in addition to grapefruit, we will find:
- Eggs;
- Lean dairy products;
- White meat and fish – Cooked, preferably steamed and baked;
- Vegetables;
- Fruits with a low glycemic index;
- Whole grain bread, rice and pasta;
- Coffee and tea;
- Meals should be eaten regularly, every 3-4 hours. You should also avoid snacking. The distribution of meals will provide a sense of long-lasting satiety for the whole day, despite the low energy value of this diet.
Thegrapefruit slimming diet should not be followed for more than 2 weeks. It is not well balanced and does not provide the body with all the necessary nutrients, so it can be repeated only after a break of several weeks from weight loss.
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What are the contraindications to grapefruit diet?
Grapefruit diet should be suitable primarily for people who enjoy great health. This is due to its rather poor composition and low energy value. Therefore, it is not recommended for people who work physically or have dietary needs such as nursing mothers, pregnant women or children. The reason for this is the fact that grapefruit juice increases the risk of disturbing the metabolism of many medications, and therefore grapefruit diet is not recommended if you are taking medication.
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If we want to prepare meals, we should meticulously measure the ingredients in such a way that the total energy value does not exceed the recommended level. Ideally, each of the main dishes should provide similar energy value. A 5 meal menu should look like this:
- I breakfast – 2 slices of whole grain bread, lean ham, a cup of coffee without milk or sugar, half a grapefruit
- II breakfast – natural yoghurt, apple, glass of grapefruit juice.
- Lunch – half a glass of rice, baked cod, tomato salad with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, tea and ½ grapefruitAppetizer
– fruit salad with ½ grapefruit, ½ banana, green tea - Dinner – a glass of 1.5% or 2% milk, 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, ½ grapefruit
Properties of grapefruit – grapefruit and weight loss
Grapefruit gained recognition as a basic ingredient of a slimming diet because there is a belief that it contains substances which improve metabolism and enable better fat transformation. However, such a claim has not been confirmed so far. However, it is certain that it contains a number of healing properties, which make it an indispensable element of a healthy diet, not necessarily such a diet which will be aimed at losing excessive fat tissue.
Grapefruits are an extraordinary wealth of vitamins, minerals and strong antioxidants. Regular consumption of such citrus fruit supports the immunity of the body, limiting the negative influence of free radicals, which reduces the risk of cancer and slows down the ageing process. Substances contained in grapefruits have positive influence on circulatory system, lowering the level of bad cholesterol in blood. They also have a great effect on the liver, kidneys and skin condition.
I think that during a slimming diet grapefruits can be an appropriate proposal in the menu, because in 100 g of fruit there are only 42 calories and they consist mainly of water. The high content of dietary fiber makes them provide a long-lasting feeling of satiety. In addition, they have a low glycemic index, low production is associated with much greater consumption of fat reserves. The content of flavonoids in grapefruits has an antioxidant effect, so it supports all detoxification diets.
See also: Detoxyn
Grapefruit diet and its effects
Constant content of grapefruits in our diet will contribute to great health and shapely figure. However, every product which is consumed in excess can do harm, as can the elimination of certain nutritional values from the menu. Grapefruit diet is not very complicated, rather not restrictive compared to other diets. It guarantees immediate results, but may have a negative impact on our health. For this reason one should think well about starting a grapefruit diet. It causes weakness, fatigue, inability to focus, dizziness, migraines, diarrhea, constipation, kidney and liver disorders and dehydration. Additionally, its results are not permanent. Such a high calorie intake causes the body to switch to the mode of economical energy expenditure, which also leads to a slower metabolism. As a consequence, most people experience the yo-yo effect after losing weight. So it is best to include grapefruits in a well-balanced diet and consume several of them a week, instead of creating a diet based on them.
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