Adding 1/2 grapefruit a day?

Emily-D · 08-19-2004, 11:15 PM

I've seen you recommend that we add a half a grapefruit per day. What is the benefit of doing that? (I love grapefruit).

Atkins_Nutritionist · 08-20-2004, 08:07 AM

That’s great that you love grapefruit!

Citrus fruits are usually higher in carbohydrate than other fruits. However, grapefruit is a citrus fruit that is the lowest of the higher carbohydrate fruits. You may already be including different kinds of berries so this citrus fruit was mentioned on other boards to encourage you to mix it up a bit and add variety.

Enjoy!

Emily-D · 08-20-2004, 10:22 AM

Thank you.

Is there any truth to the rumor that grapefruit speeds up the metabolism?

Also, I know that it can react unfavorably with some medications. Should we be cautious about eating it at the same time we take our nutritional supplements?

heather123 · 08-20-2004, 10:31 AM

Several years ago I did a diet where you gave up sugar and starch and every meal you had to eat 1/2 of a grapefruit or a 6oz glass of GF juice. I did loose 20 lbs in 2 months, but that was all the grapefruit I could take!

Atkins_Nutritionist · 08-20-2004, 10:49 AM

Some prescription drugs interact with grapefruit, however most do not, and people vary in their sensitivity to this interaction. Calcium channel blockers, cholesterol lowering drugs, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, and heart drugs may interact due to an enzyme in the digestive tract, CYP 3A4, that something in the grapefruit inhibits. Nutritional supplements are not medications, so there is no need to be concerned of an interaction.

Rumors that grapefruit increases your body's ability to burn calories because of its acidity are untrue. There are no studies to substantiate that myth.

Emily-D · 08-20-2004, 10:54 AM

Thank you again for the great information!

08-19-2004, 11:15 PM	#1
Emily-D Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 893 Gallery: Emily-D WOE: 1992 Atkins Start Date: 3/1/04	Adding 1/2 grapefruit a day? I've seen you recommend that we add a half a grapefruit per day. What is the benefit of doing that? (I love grapefruit).

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08-20-2004, 08:07 AM	#2
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	That’s great that you love grapefruit! Citrus fruits are usually higher in carbohydrate than other fruits. However, grapefruit is a citrus fruit that is the lowest of the higher carbohydrate fruits. You may already be including different kinds of berries so this citrus fruit was mentioned on other boards to encourage you to mix it up a bit and add variety. Enjoy!

08-20-2004, 10:22 AM	#3
Emily-D Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 893 Gallery: Emily-D WOE: 1992 Atkins Start Date: 3/1/04	Thank you. Is there any truth to the rumor that grapefruit speeds up the metabolism? Also, I know that it can react unfavorably with some medications. Should we be cautious about eating it at the same time we take our nutritional supplements?

08-20-2004, 10:31 AM	#4
heather123 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SE Kansas Posts: 938 Gallery: heather123 Stats: 262/257.5/160 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: Oct 2007	Several years ago I did a diet where you gave up sugar and starch and every meal you had to eat 1/2 of a grapefruit or a 6oz glass of GF juice. I did loose 20 lbs in 2 months, but that was all the grapefruit I could take!

08-20-2004, 10:49 AM	#5
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	Some prescription drugs interact with grapefruit, however most do not, and people vary in their sensitivity to this interaction. Calcium channel blockers, cholesterol lowering drugs, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, and heart drugs may interact due to an enzyme in the digestive tract, CYP 3A4, that something in the grapefruit inhibits. Nutritional supplements are not medications, so there is no need to be concerned of an interaction. Rumors that grapefruit increases your body's ability to burn calories because of its acidity are untrue. There are no studies to substantiate that myth.

08-20-2004, 10:54 AM	#6
Emily-D Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 893 Gallery: Emily-D WOE: 1992 Atkins Start Date: 3/1/04	Thank you again for the great information!