Weight Loss

According to the propagators of the Grapefruit Diet, grapefruit has miraculous properties of triggering burning of fat when combined with proteins. Grapefruit is good, no doubt- it is a fibrous fruit rich in vitamin C and simple carbohydrates. But to tout it as magical for fast weight loss is taking it too far; the weight loss that happens on the diet has more to do with fluid loss than burning of fat.

Nevertheless, it has been popular since the 1930s and has come to be known as the Hollywood Diet.

The Grapefruit Diet is one of the very low calorie diets that is claimed to cause weight loss of 10 pounds in 12 days. The plan can be repeated any number of times keeping a gap of two days in between. It is not designed as a long-term plan.

A sample plan
Breakfast
Half a grapefruit or four ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice
Two whole eggs
Two slices of bacon

Lunch
Half a grapefruit or four ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice
Any amount of meat
Salad with any kind of dressing

Dinner
Half a grapefruit or four ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice
Any amount of fish or meat
Green, yellow or red vegetables

Bedtime snack
A glass of skim milk or tomato juice

Black coffee can be had throughout the day any number of times. Water intake should be high, at least eight glasses a day. Vegetables can be cooked in any kind of oil or butter. Vegetables like potato, celery and white onions are to be avoided. No meal should be skipped and nothing should be eliminated from the recommended diet. Snacks between meals are prohibited, except for the one after dinner.

How it works
The combination of foods is believed to cause weight loss. The grapefruit works like a catalyst that triggers burning of fat, although these claims are unsubstantiated. But, it is known that grapefruits have low glycemic index and their fibrous nature helps feel full on lesser calories. Grapefruits reduce insulin levels which is good to reduce weight. The diet is completely free of sugar and starches.

The Grapefruit Diet yields around 800 to 1,000 calories a day, which is very low and will obviously lead to weight loss no matter what foods are on the list.

Negatives

* It is not a long-term solution and does nothing to change eating habits.
* There is no science behind the claims of it burning fats. Weight loss is mainly because of reduction in fluids, and dieters put on weight as soon as they come off the diet.
* The diet is monotonous and cannot hope to sustain the dieters' interest for long.
* There is no emphasis on physical activity or exercise.
* Not recommended by experts.