Legend has it that grapefruit makes the fat-burning process move more quickly. The beta-carotene found in pink grapefruit lowers cholesterol and improves heart health. Most people grapple with the grapefruit diet to lose their extra pounds fast. Yet, common sense says it is more a by-product of drastic calorie reduction that is attributed to the 10 to 20-pound loss over a 14-day period.

Breakfast is made up of 1/2 grapefruit, 2 eggs and 2 slices of bacon. Lunch is 1/2 grapefruit, a salad with dressing of choice and all the meat you can eat. For dinner, enjoy meat or fish, salad with dressing or a red or green veggie with butter, 1/2 a grapefruit and a cup of coffee or tea. At bedtime, dieters can snack on 8 ounces of skim milk.

Keep in mind that it is quite unlikely you will be able to stay on this diet for an extended period of time. The calorie level is not healthy and although the weight may come off quickly, it will return just as fast... and then some.