What is the Grapefruit Diet?

With so many meal plans advertised on social media, it might be challenging to choose the best one. Overall, you should always ask for your doctor’s advice before making significant changes to your meal plan. Based on your health history and current health problems, your doctor can recommend the best meal plan for you. And, of course, you can ask your medical practitioner about whether or not the novel Grapefruit Diet might be the best match for you. Let’s see what’s all this about and whether or not it is an efficient weight loss plan.

What is the Grapefruit Diet?

This diet represents a protein-rich meal plan that makes you have a grapefruit or grapefruit juice at every meal. The purpose of this meal plan is to lose weight as fast as possible, which is why the Grapefruit Diet should be only a 12-day plan. Overall, you should have a daily caloric intake of fewer than 1,000 calories. 

What foods are allowed with the Grapefruit Diet?

What to eat on the Grapefruit Diet:

- Grapefruit

- Eggs

- Bacon

- Chicken

- Salad

- Cooked vegetables

What to avoid on the Grapefruit Diet:

- Other fruits rather than grapefruit

- Grains, starches, and sugars

- Beverages other than coffee, tea, and water

- Dairy products

What are the advantages of following the Grapefruit Diet?

Well, the main advantage of this meal plan might be the regular consumption of grapefruit. This fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, along with powerful antioxidants. Also, it is low in calories and carbs, making the best low-carb meal. Some small studies suggest that a diet rich in grapefruit might balance blood sugar levels and cholesterol. 

Another advantage of this diet is that it can lead to rapid weight loss. And this might happen thanks to the daily consumption of grapefruit. It is believed that it can keep cravings at bay and diminish hunger. 

What is the downside of following the Grapefruit Diet?

Since it is a highly restrictive meal plan, it might lack the necessary nutritional intake. Hence, it is highly recommended to follow this diet for a limited period. It excludes most of the carbohydrates and nutritious foods, including whole grains and other fruits beside grapefruit. Specialists say that following the Grapefruit Diet for too long might lead to ingesting too much saturated fat. 

Does the Grapefruit Diet harm the intake of medication?

Recently, specialists debated on the topic of the Grapefruit Diet and medication. Some research indicated that it might interfere with some drugs, including:

- Statin drugs for lowering cholesterol like atorvastatin, simvastatin or pravastatin

- Nifedipine prescribed for balancing blood pressure

- Antihistamines

- Antianxiety medication

- Antiarrhythmic drugs

Indeed, there is a need for additional research on the exact effects of this diet of medication intake. But if you suffer from a health issue for which you are prescribed such medication, it is highly recommended to ask for medical advice before changing your meal plans. Having a nutritious and healthy lifestyle has a direct impact on how efficient your treatment is. 

Are there any other side effects one might experience upon following the Grapefruit Diet?

Besides the interference with specific medication, this diet can lead to additional health issues. First of all, it can modify the effect of your medical treatment because it contains an enzyme that impacts your digestive health. Hence, it can promote more absorption of specific drugs, while it can impede the absorption of vital nutrients. Aside from this, the Grapefruit Diet might lead to the following side effects:

- Trouble falling asleep

- Dizziness

- Dry mouth

- Head pain

- Nervousness

- Issues with urination

Experts say that these symptoms happen because your body will lack the necessary intake of vitamins and minerals, and, of course, because you will have less than 1,000 calories per day. So, it is safe to say that even though it promotes rapid weight loss, this meal plan should be implemented with a lot of caution. 

The bottom line

The Grapefruit Diet can be useful if you’re looking forward to regaining a slim waist in little to no time. But it can pose several health challenges, especially when it comes to switching back to your old meal plan. Our advice is to ask your doctor about the benefits you might get with this diet, along with whether or not it is recommended for your health status.