Grapefruit

Reviewed By:
Lynn Grieger, RD

Grapefruit diet basics

Grapefruit contains enzymes that make our body burn fat for energy, resulting in quick and easy weight loss.

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."

The grapefruit diet has been around in some form for decades. In general, weight loss comes from the extremely low calorie intake.

Upside of the Grapefruit Diet

• Great if you love grapefruit.
  
  
• Grapefruit has no fat, is low in calories and sodium, and is packed with vitamin C; the pink variety contributes beta-carotene.
  
  
• Also good for coffee drinkers, as coffee is strongly encouraged.
  
  
• No calorie counting.
  
  
• Quick weight loss.

Downside of the Grapefruit Diet

• Not so great if you don't love grapefruit.
  
  
• The very low-calorie diet and encouragement to drink copious amounts of beverages containing caffeine make this diet dangerous.
  
  
• Can be even more dangerous for people taking prescription medications. Many prescription drugs have adverse interactions with grapefruit juice.
  
  
• Low in protein, fiber and several important vitamins and minerals.
  
  
• Any diet that relies so much on a single food is too restrictive.

Is the Grapefruit Diet for You?

This chart can help you see how the grapefruit diet fits your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Sample Grapefruit Diet Menu

A day on the grapefruit diet might look like this:

Breakfast:

• ½ grapefruit or 1 cup unsweetened grapefruit juice
  
• 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon

Lunch:

• ½ grapefruit or 1 cup unsweetened grapefruit juice
  
• Salad with dressing, chicken
  

Dinner:

• ½ grapefruit or 1 cup unsweetened grapefruit juice
  
• Salad, meat and vegetables

Snacks:

• Juice or skim milk
  

Lynn Grieger, RD on the Grapefruit Diet

There is some research that shows eating half a grapefruit with meals three times each day can help people lose small amounts of weight, about three or four pounds in 12 weeks. However, there's a big difference between eating grapefruit within an overall healthy, balanced diet vs. following the standard grapefruit diet, which I don't recommend for anyone.

iVillagers on the Grapefruit Diet

"This is a diet that truly works. I did it religiously for two months and lost about 22 pounds. I have tried many diets that left me hungry and depressed. With this diet I ate normal foods and actually felt full and revitalized." -- An iVillager

"My sister and I tried this diet and I gained a lot of weight, while she lost weight. I think this diet has to agree with your body type. Really, it's not for everyone." -- iVillager cookie_88keys

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