7 Healthy Recipes for Grapefruit Lovers
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“American as grapefruit” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as “apple pie” but this citrus fruit is the only one believed to have originated in the Americas (Barbados, according to Britannica). And for a time, it was popular on breakfast menus across the country, and even spawned its own fad diet. Today, you’re more likely to find grapefruit on a cocktail menu than at a breakfast buffet, but there are plenty of reasons to seek out this unique citrus fruit other than its juice.
Like other citrus, grapefruit is at its peak during the winter months, and an excellent source of vitamin C — single fruit provides 100 percent of what you need in a day, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A potent antioxidant that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says is essential for supporting a healthy immune system, vitamin C can be an especially beneficial nutrient to load up on during cold and flu season.
Grapefruit is also ultra-hydrating at 91 percent water, per USDA data, helping you inch closer to meeting your daily fluid needs. Additionally, grapefruit is low in total calories, with half a fruit containing just 37 calories, 9 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.4 grams of dietary fiber, per USDA estimates — one potential reason a small past study found that the grapefruit diet may have been effective.
As delicious as grapefruit is, some people may have to consume it with caution. There are medications that interact and can cause adverse effects if taken with grapefruit. According to the FDA, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications that treat high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, seasonal allergies, anxiety, and more. Be sure to check the label of your medication and check with your doctor if there are any known interactions with your prescriptions.
In addition to being a nutritional powerhouse, grapefruit is also a culinary chameleon. Despite its name (which Britannica suggests was a nod to the way grapefruits grow, in clusters, and not their characteristically bitter flavor) grapefruit is much less sweet than tart, whichever variety you prefer. There are at least 10 known ones, per Purdue University, with the most popular being white, ruby red, and pink.
That complex flavor allows grapefruit to be used in many ways and paired with plenty of flavors, both sweet and savory. You can juice it to add acidity to a dish or balance the oil in a homemade vinaigrette, freeze segments to add to smoothies, or supreme it and add it to salsa, yogurt, or grain bowls.
Grapefruit can also stand up to heat, and broiling, grilling, or baking can bring out even more flavors as its natural sugars caramelize. There are endless possibilities when it comes to using this winter citrus fruit in the kitchen, and the following seven recipes are just the beginning.
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