Summer is finally in full swing, which means HOT days ahead! You may notice your body craves cold foods during the summer months and what better way to beat the summer heat than with a sweet, low-cal summer staple: the grapefruit!
For years, the grapefruit has been a staple of a healthy diet and the reasons are ten-fold! Eating just one grapefruit a day, even split into halves, can help you burn fat, get a more toned body and become a cancer-fighting machine! How? Keep reading to get the scoop!
Nutrition, Vitamins and Fat Burning Qualities
Grapefruits are full of nutrition, vitamins and fat burning qualities. They help to curb your appetite, in turn creating a feeling of fullness; they stimulate your liver and activate fat burning enzymes which in turn help to release and burn stored body fat; they contain a flavonoid called naringin which helps balance out your insulin levels. The reason for the sour taste is naringin, but you can always add stevia (or another low glycemic, natural sweetener) for taste!
Low Glycemic Index
And speaking of low glycemic loads, grapefruit is ideal as a weight loss food because of its low glycemic index, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar levels! Naringin also helps with insulin sensitivity, which is great for diabetics or anyone trying to maintain their blood sugar levels (as we all should). The hormone insulin is released when your blood sugar spikes, causing you to crash, store the calories as fat and become hungrier sooner. And the weight gain cycle repeats itself. Grapefruit actually lowers insulin levels, which helps to keep your blood sugar levels steady so that the calories are used as energy instead.
Grapefruit for Post-workout
Instead of a protein powder smoothie after a workout, try eating a grapefruit! Naringin also promotes lean muscle growth in an anabolic state (after those workouts when your body is repairing!) Naringin is a superstar flavonoid for your body and to look and feel your best! The lower and more stable your blood sugar levels, the less likely you are to reach for something sugary, or worse!
Cancer-Fighting Machine
Other notable qualities include: containing cancer-fighting qualities like liminiods and lycopene, being packed with over 200mg of vitamin C & has other vitamins such as A, B complex (for hair,skin, nails and metabolism), and vitamins E & K. They also contain other highly nutritious minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, folic acid and potassium.
Keeping the Body Alkaline
Grapefruits also implement an alkaline reaction after digestion, helping you stay balanced! Ideally, you want your body in an alkaline state. When acidity arises, inflammation starts making its way in and wreaking havoc on your body. Inflammation leads to weight gain, health issues, and eventually disease.
My Favorite Ways to Enjoy Grapefruit This Summer are:
In a wrap!
Grab a large collard green leaf (or other wrap of your choosing, ensuring it is HEALTHY) and wrap a ½ a chopped grapefruit with tofu, ½ a bell pepper, a green onion, some cilantro to taste and some lemon juice and sea salt. This is a lightweight summer wrap that is sure to fill you up, keep your blood sugar levels stable and energized!
In a Smoothie
In a smoothie! Pour a cup of almond milk into a blender, add a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds, a handful of cilantro, mixed frozen or fresh berries, your choice of protein powder (I use plant-based protein powders) and a half a grapefruit and you have one refreshing, energizing, filling smoothie!
BBQ? No problem. Bring a Grapefruit and Bean Salad.
Grapefruit and Bean Salad
Ingredients:
½ cup chickpeas
½ cup of lentils
½ a chopped cucumber
1 small chopped tomato
1 diced green onion
½ a chopped grapefruit
1 lemon, juiced
Sea salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine ½ cup chickpeas, ½ cup of lentils, ½ a chopped cucumber, 1 small chopped tomato, diced green onion and half a chopped grapefruit.
- Combine with juice of a lemon and sea salt to taste.
And there you have it! A summer salad perfect for all those outdoor BBQ’s!
This article was written by the fabulous: Jocelyn Black. You’ll want to check out her site! The Naked Label loves Jocelyn and all the personalized “roadmapping to health” that she does. Discover her at A Holistic Affair by Clicking Here.
Flying high with all this great nutrition information and easy-to-make delicious summer-time recipes? Please tell us about it! Leave a comment below and help spread the word by sharing on facebook and twitter. We will love you for it!
Photo by Sophie Jonasson.
