Papaya Diet – How Papaya Aids Weight Loss

There are several advantages of eating papaya for weight loss. Papaya contains many nutrients and nutritional properties to help you lose weight. However, it takes continuous healthy eating combined with a rigorous exercise routine to lose the extra pounds. There are many reasons for weight gain. Poor digestive health and improper nutrition are one of the many factors leading to weight gain. Eating unhealthy foods, drinking too much alcohol, chain-smoking, failing to drink enough water, and not removing toxins from the body cause the digestive system to become weak and dysfunctional. Consequently, the metabolism slows down, which results in weight gain. Papaya can help with all these problems. This article explains how papaya may help you take inches from your waistline and other health benefits it may have. It also explains how to incorporate papaya into your daily diet, a proper diet plan, and the exercise routine you may follow. Keep reading to learn more.

Facts—How Papaya Aids Weight Loss

“Is papaya good for weight loss?” Rest your worries and keep reading to learn some science-backed facts on how this tasty tropical fruit can help you achieve your fitness goals.

• Papaya improves digestion and promotes proper bowel movement. A study was conducted by Austrian scientists on volunteers battling indigestion and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. They were given papaya. It was found that the typical symptoms of dysfunctional digestion such as bloating, constipation, and heartburnⁱ  XBurning pain or discomfort in the stomach that may be a result of consuming highly acidic or fat-rich foods. were reduced significantly (1).
• Papaya contains papain, a digestive enzyme that helps to digest proteins and clean the intestinal walls. When your digestive system starts functioning better, the body’s metabolic rate increases and helps in fat burning.
• Papaya is low in calories (43 calories in 100 grams of papaya) and is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, folateⁱ  XA type of vitamin B that helps the body make red blood cells, and supports healthy cell function and tissue growth. , calcium, magnesium, and potassium (2). Besides, papaya contains a good amount of water and is loaded with fiber. Fiber helps to hold water in the intestine, softens the stool, thereby preventing constipation. It also binds to the fat molecules and prevents the absorption of fats.
• Papaya is a good source of antioxidants. It has high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene that helps flush out the toxins in the body. By eliminating the toxins, it boosts metabolism and prevents heart disease (3).

To lose weight, you need to maintain a calorie deficit. You can do this by changing your calorie consumption or expenditure. In a recent survey conducted on 5067 GB adults, 49% respondents said that they would rather change what they eat as opposed to the 41% who preferred to exercise. If you are among the former group, papaya is great food to include in your diet.

Wondering how to eat papaya for weight loss? Worry not, here are the best ways to consume papaya and include it in your diet.

How To Consume Papaya For Weight Loss

• Papaya can be eaten raw. You just need to slice it into small cubes. It is recommended to consume papaya along with some other food as it works best when taken with fat.

• Your breakfast can become more delicious and at the same time nutritious if you prepare a papaya smoothie. Preparation of the smoothie is very easy and time-saving. Just mix the mashed papaya with milk, yogurt or juice. You can also add your favorite fruit to it. If you wish to thicken the smoothie, you can add a banana too.

• You may try out something new by preparing a fruit salad with ripe papaya. Cut cubes of papaya and other preferred fruits of your choice along with some powdered spices.

Quick Tip

Select ripe and bright yellow papayas with no blemishes for your smoothie for maximum taste.

Papaya Diet Plan—The Right Way To Shed Fat

Follow this diet chart 3 days a week for 4 weeks. If you want to tweak this diet chart, make sure to have2 servings (1 serving = 1 cup = 140 g) of papayaper day, include nutritious veggies, fruits, natural drinks, and avoid junk food. Here is a sample papaya diet plan.

Why This Works

Green tea promotes weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing the metabolic rate. You can also flush out the toxins by drinking warm water and lime juice in the morning. Include papaya in your breakfast along with a good source of protein and healthy fat. Have a healthy lunch containing protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Yogurt and buttermilk are loaded with good gut bacteria that ensure proper digestion. Have a cup of papaya post lunch; it will keep you full until dinner. Grilled chicken, salmon, and lentil soup are rich in protein, veggies and multigrain toast is loaded with complex carbs and dietary fiber.

Quick Tip

You can also add lemon zest and ginger to add tanginess and spice to your papaya smoothie.

Substitutes

Green tea – Herbal/ black tea
Lime juice – Apple cider vinegar
Boiled egg- Scrambled egg or 1 cup milk
Multigrain bread- Wheat bread
Peanut butter – Sunflower seed butter
Mushroom- Tofu
Chicken- Ground turkey
Tuna- Mackerel
Yogurt – Sour cream
Kidney bean – Garbanzo beans
Cucumber – Carrot
Tomato – Beetroot
Buttermilk – Coconut water
Salmon – Tuna
Cabbage soup – Tomato soup
Lentil soup – Mushroom clear soup

Apart from the above-listed foods, you can eat the foods mentioned below.

Foods To Eat

Veggies – Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, swiss chard, zucchini, bell pepper, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, green chili, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, snake gourd, okra, eggplant, radish, turnip, beetroot, carrot, sweet potato, radish greens, collard greens, and green beans.

Fruits – Papaya, apple, grapes, grapefruit, lime, lemon, orange, plum, pear, peach, pluot, figs, blueberry, strawberry, starfruit, green apple, watermelon, and muskmelon.
Fats & Oils – Olive oil, rice bran oil, hemp seed oil, and ghee (clarified butter).
Seeds & Nuts – Macadamia nuts, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts. Control your portions ( not more than 30 g) if on a weight loss diet.
Beverages – Coconut water, buttermilk, fresh fruit juice, and vegetable juice.
Herbs & Spices – Cilantro, oregano, dill, rosemary, thyme, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, nutmeg, black pepper, star anise, cayenne pepper, saffron, cumin powder, coriander powder, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds.

Steer clear from the foods mentioned below.

Foods To Avoid

Veggies – Potato and pumpkin
Fruits – Mango and jackfruit
Fats & Oils – Animal fat, butter, mayonnaise, ranch, canola oil, and vegetable oil
Seeds & Nuts – Cashew nuts
Beverages – Aerated drinks, artificially sweetened drinks, packaged fruit juices, and alcohol

Now, though you will make the right food choices and eat a substantial amount of papaya to improve your metabolism, you have to use the calories you consume as usable energy in order to lose weight. Therefore, exercising is highly recommended. Without this, your metabolism will stall again. So, here is a sample workout routine for you.

Exercise Plan

This is a very simple exercise plan. If you don’t get the time to workout daily, make sure you walk to and from office/school, take the stairs, and keep moving you burn a few calories.

How Will You Feel After Completing Papaya Diet

Adhering to this diet and exercise plan for two weeks will help you in slimming down and lose water weight. You will feel less bloated and constipated. Your mood will improve, and you will be more active and productive. You will be more confident and love your new lifestyle.

Here are few more reasons for you to eat papaya.

Health Benefits Of Papaya

• The antioxidant property of papaya helps to prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The lycopene in papaya not only scavenges free radicals but also protects the heart from oxidative damage(4).
• Enzymesⁱ  XProteins that help accelerate chemical reactions in the body essential for digestion, and muscle and nerve functions. present in papayas such as chymopapain and papain has anti-inflammatory properties and supports healing wounds and burns.
• Vitamins A and C present in papaya helps in boosting the immune system.
• Papaya also protects against macular degeneration.
• Vitamin C rich papaya helps protect against rheumatoid arthritis.
• Papaya reduces the risk of colon and prostate cancer.

While papaya has several benefits, excessive intake may result in adverse reactions discussed below.

Disadvantages Of Eating Papaya

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals and lead to symptoms such as itching, swelling, and hives (5). People who are sensitive to papaya and have latex allergy can be at an even higher risk of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which could be potentially life-threatening (6).

According to a study conducted on pregnant rats, eating unripe or half-ripe papaya might not be safe during pregnancy as the presence of latex can cause strong contractions in the uterus (7).

Hence, it is necessary to consume papaya in moderation and consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have allergies or are taking specific medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can papaya seeds help with weight loss?

Yes, papaya seeds may help with weight loss, as they are rich in fiber, which promotes satiety and a feeling of fullness (9). This may help reduce hunger pangs and help you with portion control, which is important for weight management.

Is papaya better than bananas for weight loss?

Yes, papaya is a better choice because it contains fewer calories than bananas. A hundred grams of raw papaya contains only 43 calories, while the same amount of raw bananas contains 98 calories. Also, the sugar content of papayas is much lower than bananas (2), (10). Hence, papayas may also help reduce sugar cravings and help with calorie control and weight loss.

Can I eat papaya during intermittent fasting for weight loss?

Yes, you can eat papaya during intermittent fasting. This fruit is relatively low in calories and contains fiber, which can help keep you feeling full for longer, thus supporting weight loss (2). However, consume it within the eating window to avoid breaking your fast.

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Madhu SharmaRD

Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh. She is former Senior Dietitian from PGIMER, Chandigarh, retired in 2012.   Madhu has been closely...more

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information. After completing her master's in biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology,...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science. This formidable combination equips her with the knowledge to write research-backed health and wellness articles. She has also published a research...more