Grapefruit diet – the benefits and harm

The Grapefruit Diet, also known as the Hollywood Diet or Mayo Diet, has a long history in the United States. It has been in existence since 1930 and is known to be a fast weight loss method with many variations till now and the only essential thing that cannot be changed is half a serving of grapefruit before every meal. Grapefruit is claimed to have fat-burning properties, and combining high-cholesterol foods with grapefruit, along with a diet that encourages meat consumption, burns fat faster.

The core of the diet has been identified as a low carbohydrate and protein diet with an average of 800 to 1000 calories per day. With a diet of less than 1,000 calories per day, most people will still lose weight without consuming grapefruit, but how half a serving of grapefruit before each meal promotes the weight loss process is still unknown. Note that so far, no scientific studies have been able to prove the fat burning power of grapefruit.

Here is a sample of meal plans based on the grapefruit diet:

Breakfast

1. 1/2 serving of grapefruit or 4 ounces unsweetened grapefruit juice
2. Two eggs, any style of cooking.
3. Two slices of bacon, cooked medium.
4. You can also add black coffee.

lunch

1. Half a serving of grapefruit or 4 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
2. Salad, any type of dressing, any size.
3. Meat, any kind, unlimited amount.

dinner

1. Half a serving of grapefruit or 4 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
2. Meat, any kind, unlimited amount.
3. Any red or green vegetable cooked with spices or salad. a cup of coffee or tea.

bedtime snack

8 ounces of skimmed milk with sweetener, substitute a glass of tomato juice.

Snacking between meals is not allowed.

pros

1. It consists of 12 diet days with 2 off diet days, so you have 2 days to eat whatever you want.
2. The program offers very quick weight loss: 18 pounds in the first 18 days.
3. For those who don’t like the idea of ​​going to the gym, there is no exercise or workout instruction in this program.
4. Affordable and simple.

Shortcoming

1. Eating too many acidic citrus fruits for long periods of time throughout the day is not healthy. This will increase the acidity level in your stomach and increase your chances of getting stomach ache, gastritis or even ulcer disease. If you are suffering from any of these or other digestive system ailments, you should stop consuming any acidic foods like grapefruit, lemons, or oranges.
2. The program cuts down on essentials in a balanced diet, such as carbohydrates.
3. Limited foods restrict you from improving your eating habits, and this can lead to boredom, monotony and taste fatigue.
4. Your weight will increase again as soon as you leave the diet.
5. Unlike other citric fruits, grapefruits are known for their interactions with certain drugs such as felodipine, a drug used to control high blood pressure. Recent studies suggest that felodipine may cause toxic effects when taken with grapefruit juice.
6. If you are starting this diet, monitor how you are feeling every day, there are reports that some people have experienced racing at the start of the program, and this can lead to dehydration if not treated early. It is possible
7. There is an opinion that grapefruit inhibits the production of insulin by the pancreas. If you are suffering from diabetes then you can even go into a coma as the insulin level drops suddenly.
8. Here is a list of drugs that can be unpredictable and dangerous when combined with grapefruit juice:

• Statins (cholesterol drugs): lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin Lipitor, simvastatin Zocor, simvastatin/ezetimibe Vytorin
• Antihistamines: Ebastine, Selden
• calcium channel blockers (blood pressure medications): nimodipine (Nimotop), felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), pranidipine, nisoldipine (Cellar), nicardipine (Cardene), verapamil (Verelan)
• Psychiatric medications: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
• Intestinal drugs: Cisapride, removed from the US market (Propulsid)
• Immune suppressants: cyclosporine (Neural), Prograf (tacrolimus)
• pain medications: methadone
• Impotence drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
• Anti-HIV drug: saquinavir (Invirase) antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

Note that you do not need to understand all these medicines, just consult your doctor if you are planning to start this regimen.

conclusion

With so many downfalls and side effects, it is not advised to do it for a long time. There are people who claim to have done this for years with good results, but you shouldn’t try your luck just to lose a few pounds. Remember that there are many weight loss programs out there that offer healthy long-term solutions as well as quick results.

Source by Stefan Vincent