If you are trying to lose weight and/or lower your cholesterol, grapefruit should be a major staple in your diet. A normal size grapefruit is only about 74 calories. (leave off the sugar and try a little cinnamon)
The major benefits of this fruit are: 
- It contains 15 grams of pectin (this fiber is linked to lowering cholesterol and reducing fat).
- It is high in viamin C and potassium.
- It is fat free and contains no sodium.
Grapefruit is also rich in natural galactronic acid. This aids in lowering cholesterol and fat. It also battles against hardening of the arteries and the development of heart disease.
Before you add grapefruit as a major staple to your diet, check with your doctor to see if it ok. Grapefruit can cause a bad reaction when taking some medicines. (I’m on a cholesterol medicine that warns me not to use any grapefruit products.)
Over at WebMd, they explain in further detail ALL the benefits of grapefruit. If the doctor gives you thumbs up, head to the store and stock up, they last several weeks in the refrigerator.
Grapefruit is a product that can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and lower fat. It’s a great addition to anyone’s diet.
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Great tips! I love grapefruits. You can cut them in half and eat out of the little bite-sized compartments. You just have to watch out for the sour ones!
I know this is bad, but I can’t eat grapefruit without sweetening it.
Sometimes, the things our moms and grand moms did turn out to have some real science behind them. When I was growing up in the 60’s, it was the rage to eat a half a grapefruit in the morning if you were trying to control your weight. Great post. It’s making want to run out and buy a few of Florida’s best! LOL
That was a very good post! I eat my Grapefruit plain without anything on it.
I did not know people put sugar on it.
Kathleen,
I used to be like you. Could not eat a grapefruit without adding sugar. Well sugar adds calories which you DON’T NEED! I stopped doing that and I got used to it. Now, I love the taste of pure grapefruit. It’s an excellent food because it also provides the body with the water it needs to function.
Try cutting the grapefruit in half and placing it under the grill. The application of heat brings out the natural sugars (it does tend to be a sour fruit) and crisping up the top gives some contrast to the texture and is pleasing on the eye.
Very good post you gotta love grapefruite! For those who don’t love grapefruit i understand the bad sour taste but you can’t afford to stay unhealthy.
Darren – I know it is unnecessary calories ( I am a calorie-counter), but I just can’t stomach it any other way. However, I know that tastes change, and hopefully I can wean myself off the sugar and eat it plain.
Jay – I never thought about broiling it! What a strange idea. But I am more than willing to try it if it means I can eat it without adding sugar. I will try it (maybe this weekend) and tell you how it goes.
Ooh, I LOVE grapefruit! And I’d never thought of the cinnamon idea — will have to give that a try. Thanks for reminding me to go get some!!
Excellent, I heard more about Grapefruits but it is the first time that I was be persuaded by a good article you wrote.
But my friend Grapefruit has a foul taste.
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Also to reduce Harmful cholesterol (LDL) you can reduce eating red meat and eat fishes replaced, stop smoking and also do not stay far of sports.
One of my favorite breakfasts is a fresh red grapefruit and a slice of whole wheat toast with melty peanut butter spread on top. SO good and quite a nutritious breakfast!
I agree with most of your comments, and let not forget its all part of your 5 a day. Good that you also say about checking with your doctor as grapefruit can have an effect on you if you are taking some types of medication.
Here’s the thing with grape fruit. I am unsure how good a souce of all nutrients it is.
When people read this, alot of people go to an extreme of just taking a grape fruit diet. I think grape fruit should be considered like any other fruit incorporated in a healthy diet.
To be honest everyone should be eating all fruits and veggies… not just a specific one while the rest of the diet goes by the wayside.
That said, grapefruit is pretty good, but i can only eat it with sugar … so it kind of defeats the purpose.
I love grapefruit, too! I peel them & pull apart the sections like eating an orange.
I do a greens product, too, to make certain I get all the variety of nutrients I need on a daily basis. Great for me because I don’t always have the time (or money) to buy all the fresh fruit or veggies I need to be eating.
Thanks for a great post.
Terry A Shackelford
It’s nice to see someone commenting on benefits of natural foods, I am so tired of all the supplement pitches that do not work and can be dangerous. You have earned my respect with your articles.
My wife swears by grapefruits, and she is very fit. Still, I tend to avoid recommending foods because people go from thinking that they should eat this food in their diet, to this food will make me thin if I eat it. The difference is huge. People need to know that no food that you eat will make you thin, it is the food you don’t eat (ie the fast food etc) that will make you thin. As for adding sugar, you need to cut back on sugar across the board, only then will less sweet foods taste good. If you can’t eat a grapefruit without sugar you are getting WAY too much sugar in your diet.
grapefruit is one of my favorite fruits. I just thought I’d share that you should be careful when using grapefruit while on medication as it can interfere with your prescriptions.
You have brought up some excellent points in this article. Grapefruit is awesome and a fantastic fat burner.
Hi,
I love grapefruit and I don’t mind eating it plain. Sometimes it’s so hard to get grapefruit at my place and it’s not cheap.
I’m just starting a weight-loss journey today, and had not considered Grapefruit at all as a key component of my diet (given that it tastes something like a combination of old socks and turtle urine — dont ask me how I know).
Anyway, thank you for the tip, it will help me on my Quest.
Captain A
I love grapefruit too, and I also used to put sugar on it (PILE the sugar on, is more like it!!). Now I love it plain. I think the key for me was I hadn’t eaten it in a while, and thought I’d try it without sugar. If I had gone right from sugar covered grapefruit to no sugar the very next day, the transition might not have been so easy
i love the idea of Grapefruit… but I hate it! I really can’t eat it as it’s too sour and gross! Even with sugar! Is there anything I can substitute it for? Another, sweeter fruit perhaps?
Grapefruit is delicious! I used to have it for breakfast every day, covered with sugar! Great post
Overweight people are thinking how they can burn their extra calorie easily and make them feet. For them Grapefruit is a product that can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and lower fat. It’s a great addition to anyone’s diet.
The humble grapefruit is a great fruit which is rich in vitamin C and fiber. There is no harm in including grapefruit in your diet but if you are thinking of making it as a sole foundation for your diet, you may be on the wrong track.
A grapefruit is definately an aquired taste….COULDN’T STAND IT at first without sugar, but the more you force yourself to eat it, the more you get used to it.
One of my favorite breakfasts is peanut butter on whole wheat toast and a whole ruby red grapefruit. So delicious and healthy!
I love grapefruit cold, but my favorite way to eat grapefruit is to heat it up. I slice it in half and put it in the microwave for about 1 minute. It comes out so juicy and tasty and I don’t even add sugar.
Growing up in the tropics, I love grapefruit, even without sugar. Instead of cutting in half, completely peel it, then pull it apart, I then cut each “plug” down the back. As kids we thought it lasted longer. It is very much a fatburner.
I heard pommegranite is very good, (hope i spelt it write).
Green tea is natural and even mint leaves, i dont believe in carb free diets as your denying your body key elements of nutrition that it needs, them if you each even a chip you’ll put it all beack on again…..
I actually love grapefruit but hate the juice. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis can go a long way towards both losing the weight and good health in general. This makes me want a grapefruit right now!
That was great advice and best of all the benefits of galactronic acid is worth eating more Grapefruit in my diet!
I will have to do a little shopping in the morning and stock up my supply for the week. Thanks for sharing!
I love grapefruits despite the bitter taste. I simply peel them and eat the rest. Recently however I haven’t eaten them at all. Thanks for reminding me about them!
Nice tip!
I love grapefruit. I do like mine with salt, but some people need to watch their salt intake.
Thanks again for an awesome blog!
-Kristi Daniels
As you said DIET had been a very scary word for me for years altogether.
I used to sneak into the kitchen and have a quick bite or two before my parents notice me breaking my diet schedule. But, this in turn affected my strenuous exercises and the regime I was undergoing.
So, at some point or the other I thought to drop the angst to eat more and work more to reduce myself.
I hope I have hit the bullseye. No more sneaking in. I am a happy individual now.
Thank you for a very informative blog. I followed a 7 day plan I found on the web and had fantastic results. I now use it as and when just to maintain my goal weight. I find everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for someone else.
grapefruit is excellent.
not only is it good for you but its also great for people on weight loss.
great job
I love natural way to loss weight. It’s more permanent.
However, I want to boost my weight loss program with supplements. I found one researching the internet. My Japanese friends, none of them have weight issues nor diabetes, swear to their vegetable dish called tsuru reishi. Except I tried it and its too bitter for me. I guess it acquired taste that should have started when I was young. I’ll just try the tsuru reishi capsule form.
Anyone can share experience on this? Any comment will be appreciated.
Grapefruit diet is o k as long as you can get past the tart taste. It has plenty of nutritional value. I like the idea of this because it’s a natural way to loose weight. Fruits are also a great way to keep your metabolism high. I will recommend your article.
Grapefruit is an excellent way to help with your diet. I normally have one every morning for breakfast, this has really given a boost to my metabolism
What with all the holiday eating we are doing, every bit of dieting advice we can get is welcome! Grapefruit is awesome and Pomelo, a close cousin, is even better, being higher in nutrients. You can find it in asian markets. Happy Holidays! Jen
I love grapefruit and I’ve read through this blog that its very effective to burn fat. Just make sure you have enough exercise and better to consult your doctor first before you proceed to any diet programs.
Grapefruit are great, but I can’t deal with them on their own. I do mix it 50/50 with some orange or apple juice.
That said, try some pink grapefruit, tasty all on it’s own.
Hey very nice and extensive list. I am planning to go through all in coming year 2010. I am working around some of them in this year. but coming year I am going to take it seriously .. Thanx for wonderful post.
One simple tip is to adjust your current diet by reducing your calories and limit your salt intake to reduce your fat.