The Grapefruit Diet is a very low calorie diet destined to those people who want to lose weight fast, perhaps 10 pounds (about 4.5 kilograms) in 12 days. Don't even think of going on this diet if you have health or nutritional problems or are pregnant or breast feeding. This 1000-calories-a-day diet was popular with Hollywood stars of the 1930s. Here are some of the diet principles.
Make sure to eat three meals and a snack daily. All of the meals star grapefruit, either pure or as juice form but always without any sugar. You may be happy to know that the snacks do not include grapefruit in any form. Eliminate complex glucides from your diet. This means that rice, wheat, legumes, nuts, grains, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas and corn are all out. In addition to the ever-present grapefruit eat eggs, fruits, green, yellow, and red vegetables, fish, and meat. Drink a lot of liquids including water, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, skim milk, or tea or coffee without sugar.
The Grapefruit Diet has the advantage that it's easy to follow. And you will definitely not lack vitamin C. It does not have a good effect on dieters' health. Disadvantages include the lack of essential nutrients. This diet may lead to fatigue or fainting because of the low calorie intake. And once your grapefruit marathon is over, you are almost sure to gain weight back. And perhaps you will never eat grapefruit again.
Here are two sample menus:
Menu 1
Breakfast: Half a grapefruit. Two eggs. Two slices of bacon. Coffee or tea.
Lunch: Half a glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Halibut fillet. Lettuce, cucumber, celery, and radish salad. Coffee or tea.
The mid-afternoon snack is a glass of tomato juice.
Supper: Half a grapefruit. Chicken breast. Green beans and red peppers.
Menu 2
Breakfast: Half a grapefruit. Two eggs. Two slices of bacon. Coffee or tea.
Lunch: Half a grapefruit. Veal schnitzel. Lettuce, endive, asparagus, and tomato salad.
The mid-afternoon snack is a glass of skim milk.
Supper: Half a glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Sea bream. Spinach.
Some of the information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes more than 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and a whole lot more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French.