G is for Grapefruit

Fruit is an extremely important part of maintaining a healthy diet. Grapefruits are a bitter type of citrus that typically appear dark pink on the inside. Like many fruits, grapefruit provides your body with many necessary nutrients that help maintain body functions and good health. Grapefruit is known for its high vitamin C content but is also a good source of vitamin A along with being fat-free, saturated fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. Grapefruits typically last about one week in a room temperature setting, but, if kept in the refrigerator, they can last for 2-3 weeks!

A unique trait of grapefruit is that it has been found to burn fat and assist in weight loss. While many studies are still actively trying to discover why the fruit has this capability, some suspect that grapefruit or grapefruit juice replaces higher-calorie foods leading to increased feelings of fullness and lower calorie intakes from meals. It is suspected that the same effects can be seen by having a serving of any other fruit or vegetable prior to meals and decreasing higher calorie food intake. Since this hypothesis has yet to be fully proven, it would be safe to simply include more fruits and vegetables in your diet rather than relying on grapefruit alone. Make sure that half your plate at meals consists of fruits and vegetables.

Like many fruits, grapefruits can be eaten in a variety of ways, here are some fun ways to incorporate grapefruit into your diet!