grapefruit-related stories
Grapefruit - The Fad Returns?
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| Photo: xaverie, sxc.hu |
Recent research from the University of Western Ontario in Canada shows that an extract in grapefruit called naringenin can change the way a mouse's liver burns and stores fat. Essentially, this particular flavonoid alters genes so that the liver burned more fat that it normally would.
Grapefruit - Why You Should Make It Part of Your New Year
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
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This new year, maybe you should resolve to eat more grapefruit. I know, it sounds like a bizarre request, but hear me out. Nutritionally speaking, grapefruit is a hero among fruits. Recent studies have found that eating this great fruit (get it? ha ha!) can slow down bone loss when eaten regularly. What, bone density doesn't interest you? Methinks it will when you break your hip doing the hustle. Bone Density aside, here's an even more desirable reason to gobble up grapefruit -- it can help you lose weight. Eat it on a daily basis -- either in it's original or juice form -- and it will help you peel off those holiday pounds. Plus, with all the water and fiber, it's a great food to help you detox after New Year's Eve.
Just try to avoid piling on too much sugar -- that's just counter-productive.
Bring Down the Scale With These 3 Foods
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
- Water. It may not be food in the specific sense, but it's vital for a well-functioning body, and the right amount of hydration can truly tip the scale in your favor. The right amount? Drink about two cups of cool water on an empty stomach and earn a 30 percent jump in metabolism.
- Almonds. They're getting more press -- read more here about this nutritious nut -- and can be a key component of a low-calorie diet. You could lose 62 percent more weight and 50 percent more body fat with a few of these in your diet. Just make it a few, though (lots of calories and fat in these puppies) or your scale just might revolt.
- Grapefruit. Half of one of these (or three servings of grapefruit juice) can help you lose four to 10 pounds. And the good news: You shouldn't have to alter your diet or workout routine to enjoy this prize.
So maybe grapefruit has some real power. I don't doubt it. But I don't want you walking away from this post thinking a grapefruit, a handful of almonds and two shots of water are going to transform your body on the spot. It takes time -- and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Adding some nuts to a diet consisting of pizza, cookies and Coke just isn't going to work. Know what I mean?
Craziest diet ideas ever!
What, don't believe me? Check out this post on Mark's Daily Apple on the craziest diet ideas. Some of the wackiest ones?
- The alcohol diet, in which you imbibe regularly and frequently, provided you stick to low-carb, clear drinks like vodka and gin.
- The chewing diet, in which you chew each piece of your food 32 times and don't swallow it. Apparently, chewing it enough ensures you get the nutrients. Yeah, right.
- The cold foods diet, which is based on the idea that you'll lose weight eating cold things because your body will burn calories trying to warm it up. Which means you can eat ice cream -- yay!
Slim down, the vitamin way
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Research shows that the human body needs sufficient vitamin C to burn fat, the key to keeping excess weight from stacking up. Nothing too difficult about what to do with this news: Pop your C supplement or chew on some vitamin C-rich foods before your next fitness feat. Even better, snack on it throughout the day if you can. Try some grapefruit in the morning, have an orange for lunch, and fill your dinner plate with treats like red bell peppers, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.
Some background: Vitamin C study participants with low concentrations of C in their blood walked on a treadmill for one hour and burned 25% less fat than people with adequate C in their blood. It didn't take much to bring fat-burning levels up, though. A dose of C is all it takes to create carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel.
How much C do you need? Click here to find out.
Effects of fruit juice on medication
A small glass of 100% fruit juice is a good part of a healthful breakfast, right? If you're on certain prescription medications, your fruit juice may be doing more harm than good.Grapefruit juice, for example, can interfere with blood pressure medication and actually increase its efficacy, subsequently creating a risk of overdose. Conversely, recent research suggests that grapefruit juice may prevent certain anti-allergy medications from absorbing into the bloodstream properly. A component of grapefruit juice called naringin appears to be the culprit.
Researchers state that this finding may be the "tip of the iceberg" as other juices, including orange and apple, also contain naringin-like substances that may have similar effects.
A Magical Holiday Treat: Papaya, Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
Healthy Habits, Vegetarian, Womens Health, Healthy Recipes, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Kids, Healthy Products and Reviews, Cellulite, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Going to a Fourth of July bash this weekend? Straight from the Delicious Disney, The Disney Chefs with Pam Brandon book I bring you the most yumtastic side salad ever! Want to look like a fancy pants when you walk through the door at that party? This is the way to do it. I've posted the fairly simple recipe for Papaya, Avocado and Grapefruit Salad in my recipe book at Fitzness.com (page 37) for permanent access. Enjoy!
Daily Fit Tip: Groove on grapefruit
You Are What You Eat: Great grapefruit
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.
Great fruit
Womens Health, Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Assuming you have the time in the morning, as well as a taste for very citrusy (yes, I just made up that word) fruits, adding a grapefruit to your breakfast will help keep you feeling full longer into the day.
With only 72 calories, .2g of fat, and 18g of carbs per serving (not to mention a great deal of vitamin C), grapefruits have long been considered a healthy contribution to a well-rounded breakfast. And, because they contain 15g of pectin per serving, grapefruit helps prevent food cravings by making you feel more full. Best of all, grapefruits also help dissolve fat and cholesterol.
The one downside of grapefruit, however, is that it may have adverse effects on certain medications. In most cases, you'll know this ahead of time, as your doctor or pharmacist will explicitly warn you against eating grapefruit while taking that particular pill. But, it's always best to err on the side of caution, so if you did not receive such warning and are taking medication, check with your doctor before digging your spoon into this healthy treat.
Grapefruit instead of toast
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Breakfast is my favorite meal. I can easily feel satiated on about 350-450 calories. I often enjoy a couple of eggs, a piece of toast with butter (two slices on ravenous/workout mornings) and a small serving of fruit.
Recently I've changed up my preferred meal. In order to cut calories and fat I'm often substituting juicy grapefruit instead of toast. Choosing one whole, medium grapefruit over two slices of my favorite 100 percent whole wheat toast spread with two pats of butter saves 170 calories. Here's a nutritional breakdown:
Two slices of my 100 percent whole wheat toast with 2 pats butter: 252 calories, 10 g fat, 34 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 6 g sugar and 8 g protein.
One medium-sized grapefruit: 82 calories, just about no fat, 20 g carbs, 2.8 g fiber, 18 g sugar and 1.6 protein (per CalorieKing).
Comparatively there is more sugar and less protein in sweet grapefruit, but I garner decent protein from my eggs and save significantly overall on both fat and calories consumed. Bon appetit!
Grapefruit spikes breast cancer risk
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, grapefruits contain chemical compounds that may affect the way estrogen is metabolized, leading to higher concentrations of the hormone -- a known risk factor for breast cancer -- in the bodies of postmenopausal women. Researchers are not yet sure how grapefruit consumption affects premenopausal women.
Those critical of this study, which put study participants in a 30 percent higher risk category after eating half of a grapefruit every other day, cite a pesticide problem. Even if hormonal factors are present, they say, it could be the pesticides responsible for the real risk.
The juice that's worth the squeeze
Pucker up! A recent study published in the Journal of Food Science states that pink grapefruit juice is the most nutritious. Orange juice ran a close second, with white grapefruit, pineapple, prune, grape, and apple juices lagging behind. Pink grapefruit juice (the 100%, no-sugar variety) packs a bigger nutrition punch per calorie than any other 100% fruit juice. One tart and tangy glass of pink grapefruit juice provides 100% of a day's vitamin C. It also provides nutrients such as potassium, folate, lycopene, thiamin, and magnesium. Sugar-added juices, juice cocktails, and other blends were not included in the study.
When pouring yourself a glass of juice, be sure to check the serving size and calories per serving. Even no-sugar-added juices can be high in calories, and the serving size may be smaller than you think.
Can your horoscope help you find the best diet plan?
There are so many "diet plans" and "weight-loss systems" out there it's no wonder anybody successfully loses any weight, ever. Are you overwhelmed by the options and looking for a simple way to "narrow the field" to just a few choices? Well, if you're the sort that checks your horoscope weekly for love and career advice, you might consider getting weight-loss advice as well through these dieting ideas based on your astrological sign.
Are you a Gemini with social butterfly tendencies? Then Weight-Watchers might be the thing for you because you'll drop pounds while meeting and mingling with new people, and get group support. If you're a Capricorn the suggested plan is The Grapefruit Diet because you've probably got willpower to spare. And if you're an impatient fire-sign, like Leo, the 6-Day Body Makeover could be your ticket to success.
For me the article suggests NutriSystem, which sounds great except I'm not sure if I can afford pre-made meals every night. Is there a category for Cancer, on a budget?
