(Stock Photo/Mike Bentley) Now in season, grapefruit adds nutritious zing to weight management resolutions for those looking to lose weight and still eat well.
Fresh Florida Grapefruit Is Great Fruit for the Diet
Delicious Reddit

JANUARY 22, 2007
By Press Release, PRNewswire

It's peak season for fresh grapefruit, and there are an abundance of reasons to embrace one of the highest quality Florida grapefruit crops in several years. As supplies rebound thanks to the first hurricane-free growing season since '03-'04, more consumers can enjoy Florida's juicy and tangy-sweet bounty without breaking their New Year's diet resolutions. Florida grapefruit is one of a group of select nutritious food partners in a new weight loss program championed by Bob Greene, author of the current New York Times bestseller, The Best Life Diet, and Oprah's personal trainer.
"I've long been a fan of fresh Florida grapefruit's nutrition and weight management benefits," says Greene, who once resided in the citrus paradise of Florida. "Grapefruit has antioxidants, lycopene, vitamin C and fiber and a wonderful, unique taste. And, when it comes to fruit juice, grapefruit is my personal favorite."
As part of Florida grapefruit's partnership with Greene, chefs nationwide competed in a recipe contest to exemplify how easy-to-prepare and mouth-watering grapefruit dishes can help meet the Best Life Diet's nutrition specifications. Selected by a panel of judges at the Culinary Institute of America, the winning recipes from the "Florida Grapefruit for Your Best Life" contest can be found at www.floridajuice.com. What recipe took first place honors? A zingy, spicy-sweet dish called Florida Grapefruit and Jerk-Grilled Chicken with Arugula Salad created by Chef Matthew Laman of Sodexo USA. All of the winning recipes are simple to prepare at home and contain less than 600 calories, at least five grams of fiber, less than 600 milligrams of sodium and no more than 5 grams of saturated fat, meeting Greene's Best Life criteria.
The Best Life Diet is based on Greene's philosophy that enjoying appropriate portions of great tasting foods, which just happen to be good for you, is essential for long-term weight loss success. Greene has given his approval for many such foods -- including Florida grapefruit -- to carry the "Best Life Seal of Approval."
A nutrition powerhouse, just half of one medium grapefruit provides 110% of the current daily value for vitamin C and contains more than 60 phytonutrients, a class of natural antioxidants that many scientists believe may help the body in its battle against aging, allergies, infection, cancer, and heart disease. The high level of pectin found in grapefruit may also help to maintain healthy cholesterol, and red grapefruit varieties contain lycopene, which studies suggest may help in the fight against certain cancers and heart disease. For weight management, a half grapefruit contains less calories and more dietary fiber than a serving of other popular fruits, such as bananas or apples.
"Many people mistakenly believe that eating healthily means limited options," says Janis Jibrin, MS, RD, a Washington, DC-based nutritionist who specializes in weight loss and eating disorders and is a member of Greene's Best Life nutrition team. "However, for people to stay interested in and stick to a plan, it has to have 'real' food, lots of variety, and be filling and satisfying. That's where fruits and vegetables come in -- they fill you up on fewer calories than most other foods. The Best Life Diet recommends lots of fruits and vegetables; it's great to take advantage of what's fresh and in season to keep things fun and interesting."
If you enjoy fresh grapefruit simply cut in half and eat with a spoon as a great-tasting part of a healthy breakfast, you'll love the tangy-sweet flavor and nutrition it brings to recipes. Over 70 culinary professionals from across the nation created healthy recipes featuring fresh grapefruit as entries in the "Florida Grapefruit for Your Best Life" chef recipe contest, and now home cooks and professional chefs alike can prepare them in their own kitchens as part of their personal Best Life programs.
"Grapefruit fits the formula for most diets because it's fiber-rich, water-rich and loaded with essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, but it is also relatively low in calories," says Jibrin. "Incorporating grapefruit into recipes is a great way to receive its many benefits. Any time you can include nutrient-rich foods, like grapefruit, in your diet it helps you maintain overall good health."