The Grapefruit Diet
Fruit diet is a quick fix that may drop pounds, but it's not healthy.
BACKGROUND
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
For years, the Grapefruit Diet has remained among the most popular of quick-fix fad diets. While the Grapefruit Diet makes for a great magazine article, nutritionists say it does not offer a well-balanced plan that you could follow for any extended length of time because your body requires more nutrients and calories than this calls for.
It's true that people following the Grapefruit Diet drop significant pounds in about 14 days. This is more likely correlated to the significant loss of calories than it is any weight-burning power the grapefruit may hold. The Grapefruit Diet suggests a total daily calorie consumption of around 800 calories, and nutritionists hold a healthy diet would have at least 1,200.
PRO
- The grapefruit is a good source of beta-carotene
- Helps reduce cholesterol and promotes heart health
CON
- Not a long-term solution
- Not enough variation in nutrients
- Not enough calories
DIET and NUTRITION
A day on the Grapefruit Diet would look like this:
- Breakfast with half a grapefruit, two pieces of bacon and two eggs.
- Lunch with half a grapefruit, as much meat as you like and a salad with your favorite dressing.
- Dinner would include half a grapefruit, fish or meat, another salad with dressing or substitute buttered red or green vegetables. You can drink coffee or tea.
- Before bed you could have 8 ounces of skim milk.
EXERCISE
No guidance provided.
CONCLUSION
This is not a diet that could sustain a person for any length of time because of the unhealthy calorie intake. You will lose noticeable weight in a short amount of time, but as soon as you stop following the Grapefruit Diet the pounds will just as quickly return.
Common Misspellings
Grapfruit Diet, The Grapfruit diet, The Grapefruit deit, Grapefruit plan
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Vegetarian Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Grapefruit Solution
User Feedback
(Page 4 of 7, 128 total comments)Cathy
I started this diet and immediately lost 10 pounds. Very hard for me to lose any more pounds if I cheat in any way. I have been on it for 3 weeks now and will stay on it until I lose 20-30 pounds. It is very boring for me, but I just enjoy regular fat-free dressing on my salad and vary the meats each day. The eggs and bacon are very boring and I have no clue what to substitute, but I love the grapefruit.
posted Mar 27th, 2011 11:29 amSusan
I at 139.8 lbs and my goal weight is to be at 124lbs by May for my trip to VEGAS.
posted Mar 1st, 2011 9:42 pmI've done this diet last year and lost a good 10lbs in one month, due to cheating in between. I hope within 12 days i will be able to shed that 10lbs or more. I do plan on working out to see better results and Yogo and TaeBo on top of that. I am a really active person, but overall a tip for those whom want a sexier body.
poohcl13
I just started this diet today and am looking forward to the results that are to come!
posted Feb 26th, 2011 1:51 pmpoohcl13
I am going to do this diet between the scarsdale diet (they are a little similar). I am hoping to lose 70-80 pounds to feel better about myself! If anyone wants to be buddies while we do this please just message me!
posted Feb 12th, 2011 1:54 amKelly
I just started this diet today so far after all the reviews i read it looks like a good diet i will keep you posted on how im doing :)
posted Feb 8th, 2011 4:07 pmKHarvey
IM SO EXCITED. IAM STARTING THE DIET THIS MONDAY WHICH WILL BE 10/01/11. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED. CANT WAIT TO MOVE THIS BABY WEIGHT :)
posted Jan 8th, 2011 9:55 pmManda
I started this on January 2. It is now January 6, and I have lost 7 pounds. I didn't follow it to a tee because sometimes I will have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal with a 1/2 of skim milk with some cinnamon for flavor. I've tried this before (Jan. 26-March 19) and lost 50 pounds. I cheated a lot during that time too because I ate pizza. and I also ate a lot of soups. I did work out every day though, and I mean every day because on the days I am supposedly supposed to take off I just did really light exercises. I also drank nothing but water, and sometimes some skim milk. I cut all juices, and ate fruit instead. I will keep updating.
posted Jan 6th, 2011 1:23 pmLaura
I've been struggling with weight for 2 years now since I had my youngest daughter. Nothing seemed to work for me. I started the grapefruit diet 3 weeks ago and have already lost 10 pounds give or take a little. I never thought I would lose it. I could see myself getting fatter and fatter by the week. I'm so thankful for the grapefruit diet. I plan to stay on it for a long time. Even without the weight loss, it has made me feel better about my eating habits and I never get that "too full" feeling anymore. I can't wait to lose more! =D
posted Jan 4th, 2011 4:01 pmI have only cheated two times, with thin crust grilled chicken ceasar piizza, and so far the weight hasn't changed. A lot of my friends have tried this, but they go in knowing they can't do it and they fail. I hate dieting, but even when I feel like I'm starving myself seeing the pounds shed off with this diet is soo worth it. I don't exercise, but plan to start when the pounds stop dropping so. Summertime in a bikini, here I come! (I hope)
supertrooper
i started it on saturday and had lost 2 pounds in two days but i've gained one pound since yesterday ..i had milk at 4 am is that a problem also i had coleslaw as a salad? PLEASE HELP!!!
posted Nov 30th, 2010 9:10 ami dont eat pork so i had turkey thigh stips..which i guess is the same as bacon ??!! i need to lose fast ..any help will be appreciated
Sunshinebooty
I'm starting this tonight:)
posted Nov 25th, 2010 3:54 amHopefullly it works!
Milla Googy
I just stated this diet but I don't eat meat. I have been subtituting with tofu or chickpeas with my salad. Is that OK or Is it a waist of my time. Please comment. Thanks.
posted Nov 3rd, 2010 5:00 pmGrand Diva
Ive tried this diet for years! Its so true u do lose alot of weight watchn those carbs! Howeva, if u go back2 ur old bad eatn habits u will gain it back. The main purpose of this goal is2 jump start your weight loss & develop healthy eatn habits. If u dont exercise w/this diet u will still lose lbs. But if u do exercise u will lose more lbs plus build muscle which burns more fat! Startn this meal plan again 2mar. I like2 begin on Mondays so i will have everu otha wknd off. On the off wknds u can cheat a little but dont ova do it bcuz it will b hard2 adjust. Make sure u drink plenty of water w/grapefruit cuz its harmful2 ur kidneys, they need flushing! Get creative w/salads so youre not bored! 3mos later u will b 50 to 55lbs lighter! Good luck& will post results weekly!
posted Oct 3rd, 2010 7:53 pmBrian
I have been on this diet for a full week now and have lost exactly 7 lbs. Started out at 289 and am now 282. I am looking forward to the two day break, but my goal is to lose 100 lbs. over the next 3-5 months.
posted Sep 20th, 2010 2:10 pmtonie
just started hope it works out for me, i want to lose about 15lb
posted Jul 10th, 2010 2:44 pmhany
im really confused here, some say this diet plan is only a week some say its 10 days, 11 days n the recent one said, its only a 3 day diet plan. Really, can someone tell me the specific days please. thank you :)
posted Jul 1st, 2010 12:34 amsam
can u eat bids eye bugers and sausages cause some contain bread? confused about that bit but doing really well lost 2 pound since wed its now fri
posted Jun 25th, 2010 5:54 amKC
I love this diet! Although I have never followed it strictly. Obv I cut down on food, but still ate, Id just have plenty of grapefruit throughout the day. In my first week I lost 5lb then averaging 3-4's a week. when I stoppped doing it I did gain a few pounds, but now I eat normally with plenty of grapfruit and that maintains my weight.
posted Jun 2nd, 2010 3:26 amJessica - I think you asked about boobs, yes unfortunatly it did shrink mine! From a DD to a C, where as before when I was at my slimest I still had my chest.
Dave
I started this diet about 8 months ago weighing 220. And after the 3 months i weighed in at 174 pounds. I dropped 45 pounds give or take. That was without much cardio mainly weight training. And for the past 5 months ive been off the diet and havent put a pound back on! Im at my natural weight now and my body is happy with that. haha
posted May 30th, 2010 6:27 pmMirsad
Dont even think of takin this diet serious Its a KILLER totally unhealthy for ur body unless u workout like a horse and take allot of nutrients.. i wouldnt recommend of this diet,,,800 calories a day is STARVATION and after u this diet eatin 1 wrong thing ul put on the double weight back which is very unhealthy for ur heart, .
posted May 20th, 2010 8:02 pmCelia
I started back on this diet on Friday May 14. I Started @ 172 and am now down to 168.5 and its only monday. I have PCOS and this is the only diet that really works long term for me. I can live w/ out the carbs. I have to limit them anyway. I plan to be very strick until the 29th... and then give my self a break for 3 days (Vacation/Anniversary). I should note though I am also working out. I do a Teo Bo Video @ night and 8 min Abb (billy Blanks) every night. 3 Mornings out of the week I walk/run for 20 or so min in the morning on the tread mill. Mornings are hard for me because I get up really early anyway for work. Good luck everyone. I do not miss any carbs. If you really stick to it and start seeing results you wont miss them either! :)
posted May 17th, 2010 6:20 am