Fad diets are often defined by meal plans which encourage the dieter to either eat only one type of food or totally eliminate another type of food. In the case of the grapefruit diet proponents promise a loss of 10 pounds in approximately 12 days without sending the body into starvation mode. The theory is that the juice from the grapefruit enhances the fat burning process and allows the individual to lose weight much more quickly.
However, there is no documented proof that anyone has ever achieved any long-term success using this diet and there are some significant health risks which may be dangerous for those who have underlying medical conditions.
Another part of the theory is that grapefruits contain very simple carbohydrates, are high in fiber and have almost no fat while being low in calories and packed with Vitamin C. They reportedly reduce the appetite of the individual who is eating it and promotes weight loss by reducing caloric intake.
The plan was first introduced in the 1930s and was designed as a method of jumpstarting a weight loss program in order to encourage people to continue to eat a lower calorie diet by losing approximately 10 pounds in a short period of time. The idea was to eat half a grapefruit before every meal in order to utilize fat burning enzymes.
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