That's Fit

This past week, we wrapped up our America Takes It Off coverage by revealing that you, our readers, have lost an astounding 231 lbs! But just because we're not checking in with you anymore doesn't mean you should give up on losing -- let's keep up the good work! And, in honour of our continued efforts to look great for summer, I'm going to talk to you about one food that is notorious for helping you slim down: grapefruit.

You've probably heard about the Grapefruit Diet. Now, we would never advocate a fad diet like this one, but you know what? It does have some merit -- adding grapefruit to your diet has been proven to help you lose weight. Why, you ask? Well, in addition to being high in fibre and water to help flush out your system, it's thought that grapefruits can help lower insulin levels, which can lead to weight loss.But even if you're not trying to slim down, grapefruit is an excellent addition to your diet. Did I mention it's high in fiber? A full grapefruit has 12g or fibre, compared to 7g in an orange and 5g in an apple. It also has high levels of vitamin C to support your immune system functioning and ward off colds. It's also a good source of antioxidants, which will help promote longevity and ward off disease. Plus? Grapefruits contain a few other vitamins, namely vitamins A, B, E and K. When all is said and done, grapefruits have been shown to help with insomnia, fatigue, fever and sore throat, and it's thought to lower cholesterol and help prevent several types of cancers.

How do you enjoy grapefruit? Why, raw, of course. Slice one in half and scoop out the insides - though you might have to add a touch of sugar if you can stand the sour taste. Still not a fan? Yeah, I can relate. But there's good news -- you can lose weight by enjoying grapefruit juice instead of eating the raw fruit. A 12-week study on the weight-loss benefits of grapefruits showed that participants who ate half a grapefruit at every meal lost 3.6 lbs, while those who drank grapfruit juice at every meal lost 3.3 lbs.

Another suggestion? Enjoy grapefruit on a salad, in a fruit medley or squeezed into a large glass of water.

How do you enjoy your grapefruit?