The grapefruit diet has been around for a long time. It is not clear who first popularized this dietary protocol. It is quite easy to understand what this diet entails. This is what I will discuss first. Obviously we all know that this diet is going to involve eating grapefruit. But ‘when and how much?’ is the first question that comes to mind. Basically, with each meal, the idea is for the dieter to eat half a grapefruit, usually at the beginning of the meal. This is alleged to provide a fat burning enzyme that helps the dieter lose weight. Unfortunately, until now there have been no scientific studies that have proven the result of this “special property” of grapefruit, so the diet may be noticing more than rumors. That said, there have been some studies on the health properties of grapefruit that seem to show that adding grapefruit to the foods we eat can have positive effects on our health and help us lose weight if that’s what we’re interested in. But instead of attributing these effects to a mysterious enzyme, the researchers point to grapefruit’s low glycemic index, high fiber content, and low calorie count as the most likely factors in its effectiveness.

The grapefruit diet is supposed to last 12 days with half a grapefruit eaten with each and every meal during these 12 days. Also, it is not just adding grapefruit to the diet that is required. It’s easy to find details of foods to eat while on the grapefruit diet if you do an Internet search. However, I will briefly mention a few points about the foods to be consumed. There is a lack of carbohydrates in this diet, for example potatoes, breads, pasta, and rice. Dieters are encouraged to eat as much meat and fish as they want for lunch and dinner. It is similar to the Atkins diet in many ways, but with the addition of grapefruit. My personal opinion is that this type of diet is not good for our body. It is far from balanced and the idea that it is possible to eat as much meat and fish as we want but also lose weight seems strange.

Personally, when I started researching this diet, I was intrigued by its possibilities. I have also recently read a lot more about grapefruit and its health benefits. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A, as well as being a low-calorie fruit. This is all good. However, it is not necessary for us to follow “the grapefruit diet” to reap the benefits of eating them. In my opinion, simply eating more as part of a balanced diet is a better way to go.