Mayo Clinic Diet

The Mayo Clinic Diet first appeared 30 years ago by an unknown source. Today, there are several versions of this fad diet in circulation. However, there are commonalities among all of them.

What is the Mayo Clinic Diet?

This diet is a fad diet in every sense of the definition. It promises quick weight loss and a lot of it. One version promises 10 pounds in 3 days. In addition, the plan authorizes the consumption of as much red meat, poultry, fried foods and high fat foods as you want.

Grapefruit appears on each adaptation of the diet as well. It is believed by followers of the Mayo Clinic Diet that grapefruit is a fat-burner, able to melt away the pounds quickly. The meal plans ardently suggest grapefruit as the first food consumed upon waking and at each meal thereafter.

There are foods to avoid on the diet, another indicator of a fad diet. Carbohydrates, such as breads and pasta, are strongly discouraged as part of any meal. Vegetables and fruits, except for the essential grapefruit, are not promoted.

Does It Work?

You may lose weight on this diet for the mere fact that calories are drastically reduced with the elimination of carbohydrates. Weight loss will be temporary, at best, and will not introduce the long-term positive changes that a traditional weight loss program offers. In addition, although grapefruit is packed with nutrition, it does not contain any miraculous ingredient that melts fat away.

Is It Safe?

First, the diet does not provide the nutritional support our body requires to function properly. It is too high in fat and cholesterol for keeping the cardiovascular system healthy and protected from disease. In addition, due to the exclusion of most carbohydrates, the benefits of fiber and other nutrients from complex carbohydrates are omitted.

Secondly, weight loss of this magnitude in such a short time frame is not healthy. The dangers exist from the repercussion of drastic weight loss-the regaining of more weight. Any diet causing yo-yo type weight changes is not the one to follow for optimum health, energy and long-term weight management.

The Real Mayo Clinic

There is an actual Mayo Clinic in existence with three locations across the United States. The doctors and dietitians of the Mayo Clinic firmly disapprove of the Mayo Clinic Diet. Rather, the Mayo Clinic endorses sound nutritional practices and physical fitness for weight loss. It is renowned for its excellent medical care and strong stance on lifestyle behavior changes, both mindfully and actively, for weight management.