In recent years, the citrus fruit diet is one of many that some people have claimed wonders for weight loss. And it has worked for some people. For those who want to drop a couple of pounds quickly, this diet or another similar diet may be useful. That doesn’t mean the citrus fruit diet works for people over an extended period of time. Also, citrus fruits, in particular, are not special or unique. The diet is based on larger, more general principals that have nothing to do with some secret or magic ingredient contained in grapefruits and oranges.
A key reason that eating citrus fruits is useful is they are high in fiber and low in calories. The high fiber content means that they fill your stomach up faster and you are less likely to feel hungry. Citrus fruits also contain a lot of water, which helps to fill your stomach. Other high fiber foods have the same effect, and many of these are fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits are no different in this respect from other high fiber foods. There is no secret here: adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is healthier and can lead to weight loss. They contain multiple vitamins and minerals without all of the fat, additives, and calories. Switching to a diet which contains a minimum of five servings a day of fresh fruits and veggies can serve the same goal as a so-called citrus diet.
The other basic idea behind a citrus fruit diet has to do with water. These fruits generally contain a lot of water, which is part of the reason they are so low in calories. Water is another way to fill up your stomach without adding calories. Many diets recommend drinking an abundance of water because it can be a way to stave off hunger before your next meal. The advantage to choosing a citrus fruit, or any other fruit, over water is that, for a minimal amount of calories, you also get the benefit of adding some of your daily vitamin requirements.
Switching your diet to eating only citrus fruits is not necessarily the best option for your overall health and long-term weight, though. By eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as fulfilling other daily dietary requirements like protein, you are in a better position to make sure that you are getting all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. It is also much easier to stick to a diet for an extended period when you don’t feel deprived or bored with your food choices. If you allow yourself a larger variety of foods on a regular basis, you are more likely to make a total lifestyle change and move toward your own optimum weight. A citrus fruit diet may lead to losing and extra couple of pounds, but you will most likely gain them back as soon as you return to your regular eating habits.