We’ve heard it before; says something like this: “Eat a grapefruit after your meal and Burn calories and it helps you lose weight.” What?! Quite a trick, but is it true?
We tapped with Certified Holistic Nutrition Health Coach Caroline Johnson to help us figure out if these claims are fact or fiction.
“Grapefruit has long been popularized as a kind of miracle fruit for quick and easy weight loss. Since the 1930s, in what was called ‘The Hollywood Diet’, grapefruit was believed to contain a unique fat-burning enzyme to boost metabolism and lead to dramatic weight loss. There’s no single version of the grapefruit diet, but it almost always includes combining one whole grapefruit with three low-calorie superfoods (we’re talking Super low-calorie) and high-protein meals a day.
In reality, however, there is no evidence to support the claim that there is a special enzyme in the fruit that specifically burns fat. Any historical anecdotes about weight loss on the grapefruit diet likely occurred because of how low in calories the plan is overall.
Ahem, can you say ‘fad diet’?
There are some more recent small studies that show a correlation between eating grapefruit before a meal and losing weight (as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol), but this is probably due to the fact that the fruit contains up to 88% water and a decent amount of fiber. This is a concept called ‘preload’, which essentially means loading up on a low-calorie, high-water food or drink to feel more satisfied before a main meal. This will usually lead to fewer calories being consumed overall and therefore weight loss.
All that said, grapefruit is still a highly nutrient-dense food! It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants. It is also low on the glycemic index, which can help lower insulin levels and keep blood sugar balanced to support weight management. To get more grapefruit into your diet, consider pairing half a grapefruit with a breakfast that contains some protein and fat to balance out the natural sugar content. Grapefruit is a healthy part of an overall balanced diet and can be a tool in your toolbox, but sadly, it’s not a magic bullet for weight loss.”
Consensus: eat grapefruit for the vitamins and fiber, not because it helps you Burn calories (because it won’t!).
Caroline Johnson is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who specializes in women’s health and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She works with clients one-on-one to create sustainable nutrition and lifestyle habits that heal hormonal imbalances and bring about long-term transformation. For more information and to book a free health consultation, visit serenityhealthhq.com. Follow Caroline for more nutrition tips and all things holistic health @SerenityHealthHQ.
The content provided in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in furnishing or rendering medical advice or services. The opinions and content contained in the article are solely the views of the author, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend such content or information, or any products or services mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss or damage arising from the use of or reliance on any content or information in the article.
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