Old 'grapefruit diet' gaining new popularity

Amanda Jaeger , KTHV 10:33 PM. CDT July 11, 2017

Grapefruit Diet, Credit: KTHV

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Many fad diets come and go but some seem to stick around through the decades. One of those diets is the grapefruit diet.

It has been around since the 1930s and claimed grapefruits are a type of super food that burn fat and make you lose weight fast. But is there any truth to it?

THV11 spoke with David Rath, a nutritionist for over 20 years. He has seen the grapefruit diet grow and fall in popularity.

Amanda Jaeger & David Rath, Credit: KTHV

The premise behind it is that grapefruit has a substance in it that causes you to lose weight, he said.

People claim grapefruit is so filling, you can only eat so many per day, which means consuming a lot fewer calories. Other variations of the diet call for people to eat at least half a grapefruit or 4 ounces of 100 percent grapefruit juice before each meal to make them less hungry and lose fat. Others claim grapefruits have super enzymes to burn fat.

Rath said most of those claims arent true, but grapefruits do have great qualities for people to consider. Theyre high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk for disease. Theyre low in calories. If you eat the whole fruit, including the pulp, it can help lower your cholesterol.

The catch is those amazing qualities arent only evident in grapefruits. Most fruits and vegetables have some of those qualities.

Credit: KTHV

Fruits and vegetables are about 90 percent water and have a lot of fiber that fills you up without getting you many calories, said Rath.

He added people should absolutely include grapefruits into their diet, as well as other fruits and vegetables and foods from the five major food groups. He said the age-old truth make sure to eat those fruits and veggies really does win. It is the key to making you feel fuller while consuming fewer calories and giving you great nutrients.

But there are dangers with the grapefruit diet models that tout eating grapefruits on overload while skimping out on other healthy foods. Its also dangerous to use any of the grapefruit diet models that recommend eating a low number of calories each day.

It can actually be harmful to your weight loss goals and cause you to go into starvation mode from consuming too few calories, said Rath. Very low-calorie diets make the body think it is starving, which lowers your metabolism, and makes it hard for you to lose weight.

Too many grapefruits and too few calories will also not provide you the nutrition your body needs. Even if your weight drops temporarily, its not going to last and it could cause more damage than you would think.

That type of diet is not sustainable because people aren't going to eat like that for the rest of their life, he said.

Credit: KTHV

Rath added the best way to stay healthy is to make good meal choices from the five food groups while staying within your recommended calorie level. Its important to incorporate physical activity because that's another way to burn calories and maintain good fitness levels.

It's also important to check with your doctor and nutritionist before trying any new diets because they can interact with medication.

Grapefruits, for example, can interact with certain medications and cause serious health issues.

For more information on healthy eating and living just click here.For more information from David Rath, you can visit his website here.

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Age-old grapefruit diet, healthy or hazardous? - THV 11

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Losing weight is one thing, Cheri Jackson knows, but keeping it off is another.

Thats why even after losing 113 pounds and being crowned TOPS (Taking Pounds Off Sensibly) 2016 Washington Queen for losing the most weight in the state since she started the program, the Enumclaw resident still plans to stick with the nonprofit program.

Before signing up with TOPS, Jackson had a volatile relationship with food and exercise.

In high school, she suffered from anorexia she didnt eat, and exacerbated her disease by over exercising.

They took me out of school. It was really serious, Jackson said, adding that she weighed 93 pounds.

She wasnt sent anywhere for inpatient treatment, but her mother had her go to the doctors twice a week and have blood tests to make sure everything was going OK.

Jackson eventually brought her eating and exercise habits back under control because she wanted to go back to school.

But when Jackson entered her 30s, she started slipping but in the opposite direction.

Truthfully, in my 30s, I had a hysterectomy and thats when it all went straight down. I started eating I think maybe because I wanted more kids, and I couldnt have more kids, she said.

As Jackson ate more and exercised less, she found herself in constant pain, so she went to her doctor to ask about weight-loss surgery.

You just need to get up and start moving, he told Jackson, who was put off by his answer and delayed any sort of weight-loss action for another five or so years.

It wasnt until she had to receive steroid shots to manage the pain of two herniated disks in her lower back did she finally call up a friend who was already involved with TOPS.

This was it. Either Im going to sit on a couch and be big and heavy and not have a life, or Im going to do something, she said. It was my last ditch effort.

Last ditch or no, Jackson was successful in her weight-loss endeavor, and was flown out to Little Rock, Arkansas on July 11 to celebrate her achievement with other TOPS royalty at the International Recognition Days celebration.

GROUP SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION

Eating more consciously and exercising more regularly certainly contributed to Jacksons success with TOPS.

But one thing she feels helped her out more than anything else was the support she received from her local TOPS chapter, especially surrounding how she talked negatively about food and her weight.

I used to say horrible things, and theyd say, Are you serious? Yeah, Im serious, Jackson said, adding how shed call herself a cow or a whale. They started supporting me You need to stop. Instead of saying something like that, say something nice about yourself. Find something nice to say about yourself.

According to TOPS Wellness Manager Maggie Thorison, this sort of group support is one of the reasons why this nonprofit works better than other programs.

Sometimes you see or hear the terms good foods and bad foods, or as so many of us have said, I was so bad last night, I had a slice of cake, or, I was really good today, I didnt have many carbs at dinner, Thorison said. While statements like, I was good, or, I was bad, may seem kind of harmless, in a way when youre referring to foods as good or bad, youre saying youre good or bad when you eat those foods.

This is where many meal plans fall short and how group support can pick up the slack, Thorison said. Meal plans can tell you what to eat and how much, but its much harder to be introspective about your eating habits the how and why you eat on your own, instead of in a group setting.

Of course, TOPS doesnt expect every group to be able to do this without some help, and since most local chapters are led by volunteers with little to no nutritional background or wellness expertise, the nonprofit works to provide easily digestible professional information to their members.

Theres a lot of nutrition information out there, whether you see something on TV, maybe something pops up on your Facebook news feed, maybe a friend has this new diet shes been trying. Unfortunately theres a lot of bad or misleading information out there, and it can be really difficult for people to navigate, Thorison said. We provide (chapters) with resources such as programs, which is essentially scripted information geared toward the lay person all of those materials are either created by or reviewed by medical doctors, registered dietitians and other wellness experts.

This sort of flexibility allows individual chapters to determine what their needs are, as opposed to trying to fit their members to a particular meal program or exercise regimen.

We dont tell members what to eat. We dont dictate one specific food plan or try to sell foods. We know that different tools work for different people, Thorison said. Everyone is unique, and of course we want members to be safe before anything else.

That being said, there are still pitfalls people can fall into.

Since TOPS chapters are led by volunteers, there is no screening process for serious eating disorders.

While the information TOPS provides its chapters supports healthy eating and exercising habits, there is little information provided about preventing or treating an eating disorder, Thorison said, adding that all TOPS members are encouraged to check in with a primary physician before making changes to their meal plan or exercise routine, and to check in with them regularly to make sure they are staying healthy.

You can find a local meeting at http://www.tops.org/TOPS/FindAMeeting or by calling 800-932-8677. Membership is $32 a year, plus any chapter fees.

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Enumclaw tops weight-loss royalty celebrates success - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

If you've ever Googled "how to lose weight fast'" you're not alone. Whether it's for an impending wedding or event, or you've noticed some weight gain (thanks winter), many of us are looking for ways to look slimmer quickly.

So, can you lose weight fast (and safely)?

"It really depends on how much weight you have to lose and the time frame in which you do it," nutritionist Fiona Tuck told HuffPost Australia.

"If it's a kilo or two then this can be lost relatively quickly. However, losing a huge amount of weight in a short amount of time can put excess strain and stress on the body, cause muscle loss, put the body into starvation mode and can put a strain on the heart, and is not a healthy way to lose weight."

Basically, you can lose weight quickly, but it's not the best option and doesn't beat steady long-term weight loss.

"Studies show it is more effective to aim for gradual weight loss as opposed to rapid weight loss," accredited practising dietitian Anna Debenham said. "This is because you are more likely to lose weight and keep it off when it's lost gradually. In addition to this, it is healthier for your body to lose weight more slowly."

As accredited practising dietitian Alexandra Parker explained, focusing on short-term weight loss doesn't change our eating habits and lifestyle for the better.

"Generally we find that people who want quick fixes are not necessarily in the right frame of mind to lose weight," Parker told HuffPost Australia. "So much of healthy eating and weight loss is about having the right mind frame and changing your eating behaviours for the long term.

PeopleImages via Getty Images Focus on a healthy lifestyle, rather than a fad diet.

"Successful weight management comes down to a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle, which combines eating healthy foods, forming a healthy relationship with food and keeping physically active."

Particularly when it comes to reaching body composition goals, personal trainer and founder of Flow Athletic Ben Lucas highlights that we can't expect to see changes in a few days or a week.

"I often see clients who come in and say they want to work on their arms or legs for an event or occasion, and believe toned, sculpted arms can be achieved in a few short sessions," Lucas said.

"When it comes to making physical changes in our body, this can take weeks of dedication. So, in terms of fitness, it doesn't happen overnight."

With all this in mind, if you do want to lose weight fast, here's how to do it relatively safely. Remember, seek advise from a healthcare professional before starting any diet.

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"Many people can lose weight rapidly simply by cutting out refined carbohydrates such as white pasta, white rice and sugar," Tuck said.

Other refined carb foods include lollies, biscuits, pastries and chips.

"High carbohydrate foods can encourage the body to store fluid, hence the puffy face when people overindulge in junk food and alcohol."

Here are handy tips on how to avoid buying junk food at the supermarket.

Controlling your portion sizes can help you lose weight, although Parker and Debenham recommend doing this under healthcare supervision to avoid under-eating.

"Tightening up portion sizes and cutting down on certain foods can work in the short-term, but not forever," Parker said.

"The key to safe weight loss is not to cut out any food groups completely, but rather reduce overall portion sizes. There is a fine line here as cutting down too much on these foods can hinder your ability to meet your nutritional requirements," Debenham said.

Try these eight doable portion control tips.

Merinka via Getty Images

"Choose lean protein and veggies and salads, and limit saturated fats," Tuck said.

While reducing carb intake can be effective, Tuck urges people to not follow this style of eating for long.

"Long-term eating in this way, such as cutting out whole grains and high carbohydrate foods, is not recommended as it can put the body at risk of nutritional deficiencies," Tuck said. "Including carbs is important for brain function and energy, however choosing whole grain, nutrient-rich options is the healthier choice."

Here's a whole library of delicious, healthy meals.

"In addition to dietary changes, I would have them working on strength which includes cardio, such as boxing," Lucas told HuffPost Australia.

"Boxing activates multiple muscle groups as well as gets the heart rate up. The idea behind this is that you start burning the calories with the aerobic demands of boxing, but also work on resistance training using your arms, which continue to burn energy after.

"Additionally, you help to tone, especially in the abdominal region, thanks to the demands of a strong core for twisting, ducking and punching."

Cecilie_Arcurs via Getty Images Exercise is as good for the body as it is for the mind.

Alcoholic drinks -- whether they're marketed as 'low carb' or not -- are packed with empty calories, meaning that cutting down or ditching alcohol altogether can have a dramatic effect on weight.

"Eating lean and clean with a diet made up mostly of vegetables, protein and a little bit of fat can help shed kilos quickly," Lucas said. "Ditching refined carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol will also make a noticeable difference. Staying hydrated also helps to prevent fluid retention."

When trying to lose weight quickly, health experts suggest to steer clear of doing these things.

"Avoid dramatic long-term calorie reduction. This can cause dizziness, affect blood sugar and can even lower metabolism and deplete nutrients if performed over a long period of time," Tuck said.

"Avoid fad diets that remove food groups for more than a couple of weeks, or which recommend an excess of a particular food group, as this can become nutritionally imbalanced."

The same goes for skipping meals, which does more harm than good.

"A common danger is skipping meals, which is unsafe. If you continuously skip meals, your body thinks it is being starved and may hold on to fat reserves rather than shed them," Lucas said.

"Depriving yourself could also end up in a binge. Instead, reduce your portion sizes rather than eliminating a whole meal."

Dzevoniia via Getty Images Skip the juice cleanse and focus on whole foods instead.

Parker also warns against going on detoxes (they don't work) or taking pills or supplements that promise rapid weight loss. When it comes to long-term weight loss and weight maintenance, slow and steady wins the race.

"There is no magic pill or miracle cure. Cutting down on portion size, including a variety of fresh whole foods daily and eating three meals a day (with light snacks if required) is the most sustainable long-term fix to weight loss," Tuck said.

"Healthy eating needs to become a way of life. And including daily exercise is important for energy, mood, metabolism, self-esteem and heart health."

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How To Lose Weight Fast (And Safely) - Huffington Post Australia

To lose weight is not an easy process, especially if you have been struggling with your weight for years. Sometimes, to lose weight quickly, we end up taking routes that may hurt our body in the long run. Laxative diets are one such method of losing weight. But we should not judge a book by its cover right? Here's see how laxative diets may hurt your body more than you think. What are laxatives? Laxatives are originally drugs that are meant for those suffering from constipation issues. Laxatives work in your large intestines, while the food is absorbed in your small intestine. When our diet lacks proper intake of vegetables and fruits with the required amount of roughage, we end up being constipated. Laxatives are ideally meant for people suffering with severe constipation, owing to a disease or symptom, that has prolonged for more than four days.

A trend- laxative diet Since laxatives help you poop smoothly, your body ends up losing water. Many people mistake this water loss for weight loss.

"When a party or big celebration approaches, we often want to lose weight. People often take laxatives to get rid of tummy fat for a temporary period of time. What they don't understand is how it can hurt them in the long run," says Dr Renu Garg, nutritionist and homeopath. Dr Garg also mentions how dangerous this temporary solution can be if one is in the habit of taking laxatives every now and then.

Experts feel that using laxatives as a permanent solution for weight loss is a huge myth that needs to be busted right away. This is because when we consume laxatives for weight loss, we are damaging our muscles, nerves and digestive tract permanently.

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Here's how laxative diets can work against you - Times of India

After a traumatic breakup from a long-term partner, Kaitlyn turned to food as a comfort and eventually hit her highest weight at 225 pounds. But things took a turn when she used exercise as a solace for depression. The Arizona-based engineer picked up weightlifting and almost immediately noticed the results on her body, but also on her mood and her brain. Her tips are practical and positive, and show just how much we can be capable of when we keep working hard and set goals.

POPSUGAR: What made you decide to start your weight-loss journey?

Kaitlyn van Brunschot: I was fresh out of a six-and-a-half-year relationship and felt completely lost. I initially started my journey with weightlifting just to fill my time. Very quickly I began to realize that lifting weights made me feel great! It gave me so much confidence, so I just kept doing it. It's funny how quickly you can change, because it's been almost a year now and I have such a passion for fitness. I never thought I'd be the person that I am today!

I gained a lot of weight when my partner cheated on me. I turned to food to feel better about myself. I used food as a means of reward to feel better. Couple that with a relatively sedentary lifestyle and you've got a perfect recipe for weight gain!

PS: What drew you to weightlifting specifically?

KV: I started lifting weights because cardio always left me feeling drained. So I tried weightlifting! I was fortunate enough to have a good friend show me how to do deadlifts and squats, and that's all I did for months. Slowly I started branching out and trying new things.

I have had this idea that I needed to diet or work out since I was 12 years old. That's more than half of my life! I kept thinking to myself that I'll dedicate my time to it later. After next semester. After the Summer. After I get my bachelor's degree. Little did I realize that I was just putting off my efforts for years. I've tried swimming, DVD programs, and plain old cardio. None of them worked because I wasn't ready for the lifestyle change, nor did I believe in myself. I've learned that just having the belief that you can change is oftentimes the biggest barrier to achieving your goals. Once you trust yourself and have faith in your own abilities, then everything will fall into place!

I think another huge thing is that I always got so stressed about making immediate lifestyle changes. I wouldn't just start working out; I would try to go vegan and start home-cooking and meal prepping and start working out all at the same time. I know now that those extreme changes are not helpful. It really does take baby steps when it comes to making lifestyle changes!

PS: What's your favorite way to work out?

KV: I am beyond passionate about lifting weights! It's such a fun and challenging way to achieve your fitness goals! Lifting has boosted my confidence more than I thought possible. I really love when I can work out with friends who help push me to try harder and lift heavier. Oftentimes that's enough for me to beat a personal record!

PS: What's your weekly exercise schedule?

KV: When I first started, I was working out once a week for about a month or two. Then I started feeling so good every time after I worked out. So I started going two to three times a week for a few more months. After that, I really started noticing my progress and was feeling so good about myself so I started going almost every day. For the last five months, I literally go six times a week. It's not a chore or a punishment for me; it is my passion. I feel so blessed to have discovered weightlifting! It makes you feel so capable and strong and those feelings fuel my passion!

It took me just under a year, but I went from just doing a 10-minute cardio warmup followed by deadlifts and squats every day to hitting every muscle group each week!

PS: How do you keep workouts exciting?

KV: Work out with friends! Take lots of before and after photos and enjoy your progress! Listen to your new favorite song only when you're working out (my mom told me this one and trust me, it works!). I have made so many friends at my gym, and being naturally outgoing, it helps when I get to work out with them.

PS: How much weight have you lost?

KV: I've lost 78 pounds! The first 25 pounds I lost were just from getting off of birth control, but the rest was all from weightlifting! I went from 225 at my heaviest recorded weight (but I can almost guarantee I was heavier; I just avoided the scale!) to 148 pounds right now.

PS: What was the first big difference, other than the number on the scale, that really made you feel proud and excited?

KV: Being able to fit into clothes that I never thought I'd fit into again. It's a surreal feeling. I vividly recall trying on a dress again that hadn't fit in years and finding that it was way too big. I was drowning in it. And I just looked at myself in the mirror and broke down in tears. I was so damn proud of myself; never did I imagine I would ever lose weight and get healthier. I never believed in myself until that moment. That was a very cathartic moment for me!

PS: How do you track your weight loss?

KV: I used MyFitnessPal to track my food and my weight. Although, when I started working out, I didn't adjust my diet at all and was still eating out a lot, so I didn't always track my food because I felt guilty. And weirdly enough I use Instagram a LOT to track my progress. I post a lot of before and after photos and the support I receive on there is a phenomenal source of extra motivation for me!

PS: What's a typical day of meals and snacks?

KV: I have been eating Oats Overnight, which is a prepackaged high-protein oatmeal, every morning for breakfast (I found them through Instagram!), and I usually eat chicken breast and frozen veggies for lunch. I don't always have time to grill up the chicken myself, so I get the rotisserie chickens or roast turkey breast from Safeway or Costco! Then I'll have Chipotle or a homemade acai bowl for dinner after a good workout session!

I snack on corn thins and rice cakes a lot at work. I like to mindlessly snack when I'm writing code and working on software and they're pretty guilt-free and super filling! I also like to snack on protein granola from Sprouts or fresh blueberries.

PS: Do you count calories?

KV: I do on occasion. I used to do it religiously, but after six to seven months of tracking, I've gotten a pretty good idea about what I'm putting in my body. I eat intuitively now and don't feel as stressed when it comes to tracking my calories. It's easy to get caught up in trying to eat as little as possible, but it's just not worth it. I'm probably sitting at around 1,800 calories a day, but I eat pretty clean, so it's a lot of protein!

PS: What are the healthy staples that are always in your fridge?

KV: Almond milk and blueberries! As far as nonfridge items go, I always have frozen acai pure in my freezer and bananas and granola on my counter. Also, I don't think I could survive without my peanut butter powder at this point. I put it in every shake I make!

PS: How do you strategize for meals out?

KV: I don't anymore! I don't crave fast food, so when I do go out I just listen to my body. I used to eat until I was so full that I felt ill and bloated. I don't do that anymore; instead I like to actually enjoy the food I'm eating! The nice thing about weightlifting is that if you eat more food, it just means you're fueling your body more!

PS: Do you use a fitness tracker?

KV: I use a Fitbit Charge HR 2. It helps me keep track of my heart rate, which I love when I'm working out!

PS: What role did weightlifting play in your journey? Would you recommend it?

KV: I literally recommend weightlifting to all my friends! Just for the fact that it makes you feel so great about yourself!

PS: What advice do you have for anyone starting out on a weight-loss journey?

KV: Please let yourself celebrate the little victories, like ordering a medium instead of a large meal at a fast-food restaurant! It's such a slow process, but it is absolutely worth it! Find something physical that you love and let yourself develop a passion for it. Let it become more than a temporary thing to lose weight. If you can find something that can be a lifelong hobby, then you're going to go so far!

Image Source: Kaitlyn Ly

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Kaitlyn Is Down 78 Pounds 53 Just From Weightlifting - POPSUGAR