The grapefruit diet, also known as the Hollywood diet, has been around since the 1930s, when claims were being made that grapefruit had fat burning properties. The diet consists of eating grapefruit and high amounts of protein and can only be followed for 12 days because of the low calorie allowances. After a period of two days the diet can be resumed but shouldn't be used for the long term because the daily caloric intake is so low, usually around 800 calories.
Grapefruit
The grapefruit diet received its name because the diet calls for eating one half of a grapefruit just prior to every meal during the day. The grapefruit diet founder, who is unknown, made the claim that grapefruits contain an enzyme that helps the body burn fat, resulting in weight loss. The half-grapefruit can be substituted with 4 oz. of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
Eggs
After eating the half-grapefruit for the breakfast meal, it's advised to eat two eggs and two pieces of bacon. The eggs can be prepared in any style, such as scrambled, hard boiled, sunny-side up or over easy. It's important to eat both the bacon and eggs because they contain protein, and eating high amounts of protein is a big part of the grapefruit diet's success.
Meat
During lunch and dinner, this particular diet calls for meat in whatever variety the dieter prefers. This can be anything, including chicken, ham, turkey, pork, beef, tuna, fish or a combination of any of these.
Vegetables
The diet suggests eating vegetables with dinner. Most types are permitted, but the diet suggests avoiding starchy vegetables like white onions, potatoes, celery and corn. Foods like red onions, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, spinach and cabbage are the best choices because of their nutritional value. The grapefruit diet guidelines also state that vegetables can be seasoned or prepared and served with butter.
Black Coffee, Tomato Juice or Skim Milk
As a bedtime snack, grapefruit dieters are allowed to drink one glass of either tomato juice or skim milk. Both choices are low in calories and high in nutritional value. Black coffee is OK to drink throughout the day as well, probably because of the caffeine, which also helps the body burn more fat.
Salad
A green salad should be eaten with lunch, and there are no limitations as to what kind, flavor or amount of salad dressing that can be consumed. The salad can be topped with any of the vegetables listed above and the dressing doesn't need to be fat free.
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