21-Day Grapefruit Diet

The grapefruit diet has been circulating in one form or another since the 1930s when it was first introduced by Kelly D. Brownell, PhD. Based on the fat-burning benefits of the enzymes in grapefruit, the 21-day grapefruit diet claims to help you achieve weight loss without starvation. According to Grapefruit-Diet.org, the plan can be followed for as few as seven days or as many as 21. DietsIndex.com, calling it a fad diet, says there is "no hard evidence" of "the fat-burning properties of grapefruit."

Foods to Eat and to Avoid

The21-day grapefruit diet calls for the consumption of grapefruit at every meal. You can also eat leafy spinach, broccoli, corn, jam, jelly, cereal, corn chips, pasta, red onions, starchy vegetables, radishes, pretzels, sweet pickles and low-fat or diet salad dressing.

Avoid eating cabbage, chili, bread, green onions, coleslaw, lettuce, hot dogs, carrots, potato chips, peas, mayonnaise, green beans, white onions and regular salad dressing.

According to Grapefruit-Diet.org, before beginning your diet, it is important to avoid foods that are either extremely hot or extremely cold. Avoid cooking in aluminum pans, and space your meals about 4 hours apart.

General Guidelines

Aim for three to four daily servings of carbohydrates (whole grain bagels, bran muffins, pasta, corn flakes, whole-grain bread and rice) and four to six daily servings of fruits (bananas, oranges, plums, papaya, melon, strawberries, pears, apples and grapefruit). Strive for two to four daily servings of vegetables (including broccoli, spinach, corn and asparagus) and one to two daily servings of dairy products (yogurt, cheese, milk, and cottage cheese). Be sure to include two daily servings of lean proteins such as tuna, crab, skinless chicken, fish, lean beef, eggs and lentils.

Sample Menu

A typical day's meals will look something like this:

Breakfast: two hard boiled eggs, two slices of bacon and either half a grapefruit or 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
Lunch: Any amount of the meat of your choice, salad and either half a grapefruit or 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
Dinner: Any protein (cooked however you like), salad or a vegetable cooked in butter, a cup of coffee or tea and either half a grapefruit or 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
Bedtime Snack: One 8 ounce glass of skim milk or tomato juice.

Tips

According to the recommendations of Grapefruit-Diet.org, drink eight glasses of water each day and eat until you are full at each meal, but avoid eating between meals. You can use butter to cook with or top your vegetables, but you should avoid any dessert foods, bread and white vegetables. Since this fad diet restricts your calorie intake significantly, avoid exercising while on the 21-day grapefruit diet. If you are on any medications (like certain statin drugs for cholesterol), check with your doctor before beginning this diet to avoid a potential complication.