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Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet continues to cause considerable confusion. This is not an “official” Mayo Clinic Diet. The Mayo Clinic health center (based in Rochester, USA) categorically states that it had never endorsed any diet plan until December 2005, when it was announced that the official Mayo Clinic Plan was available via the Internet.
The clinic does however provide a number of guidelines for healthy eating – including the new Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid (aka Mayo Clinic Food Pyramid).
What is the unofficial “Mayo Clinic Diet”?
What was supposedly the Mayo Clinic Diet is a fad or crash diet. It is based around grapefruit, lots of salad and protein, and little carbohydrates. Weight loss was supposed to be in the region of 50-55 pounds in 10 weeks.
Mayo Clinic Diet – Meal Plan
This is a copy of the fad diet – and it IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Representives from the Mayo Clinic have disavowed this diet. From the Medical Edge Newsletter July 2005:
“Versions of a Mayo Clinic Diet have been circulating for decades. Most push grapefruit, eggs, cabbage soup or meat and promise dramatic weight loss. None of these diets is associated with or has been endorsed by Mayo Clinic.”
12 days on – 2 days off
| Breakfast 1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened) 2 Eggs (any style) 2 Slices Bacon |
| Lunch 1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened) Meat (any style, any amount) Salad (any kind of dressing) |
| Dinner 1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened) Meat (any style, any amount) (fish may be substituted for meat) Vegetables (any green, yellow, or red vegetables cooked in butter or any seasoning) |
| Bed Time Snack 1 glass tomato juice or 1 glass Skim milk |
Vegetables Allowed
Red onions, green onions, bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, peas.
Vegetables to Avoid
White onions, potatoes, celery.
Find other high protein meal ideas here.
Instructions
- At any meal you may eat until you are full – until you can’t eat any more.
- Don’t eliminate anything from the diet, especially don’t skip bacon at breakfast or omit salads. It is the combination of foods that burn fat.
- The grapefruit is important because it acts as a catalyst that starts the burning process.
- Cut down on caffeine – it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning process. Try to limit to 1 cup per meal at mealtime.
- Don’t eat between meals. If you eat the combination of food suggested you will not be hungry.
- Note that the diet completely eliminates sugar and starches, which are lipids and form fat. Fat doesn’t form fat; it helps burn it. You can fry food in butter and use butter generously on vegetables.
- Do not eat desserts, bread, and white vegetables or sweet potatoes. You may double or triple helpings of meat, salad, or vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed. The more you eat of the proper combination of food, the more you lose.
See Also
The Mayo Client has just released their Official Diet developed by their own staff.
The Mayo Clinic Plan
MayoClinic.com – Health information from the Official Mayo Clinic.
MayoClinic.org – Official site of the actual Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minneapolis, USA.
Fad Diets – Article about Fad or Crash Diets.
My husband and I started this diet on 9-15-08 and today id day 4 i feel great, so far Ive lost 3lbs its a start. I’m really excited about it and each day the plan gets easier and easier. We had really bad eating habits and liked to eat out a lot but so far we have stuck to the diet hopefully this work god luck and congrats to all of you…. Happy Dieting.
I will check back next week and post how it goes
Weighing in at 248 (9-15-08)
9-18-08 current weight 245.
Hi momo. This is my first time on the diet but I’ve been eating my meat on the side or in the salad. I think you can have your meat anyway but battered in flour. Goood luck all.
Is Splendra or sweet and low allowed on this diet?
I started this diet yesterday 9-15-08 and I got this diet from my nieghbor. I have a question that my husband and I are getting confused. On the diet plan for lunch it says to eat/drink grapefruit, a salad and any meat that you want. Does that meat have to be in the salad or is that any meat on the side? Please let me know.
This diet worked for me I lost 39 pounds in 6 months I cont with my eggs in the morning and salads but started eating dinner I gained 4 pounds I need to start the diet again.
its my first day can u guys please give me support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pleaseeee i really want to lose weight
hey everyone my names jojo im weighin 130 i really want to lose weight i want my face to get slimmer and my body as well.. am starting this diet tomorrow 09 15 08… wish me luck! i want to wish luck to everyone else may God bless you all and lets keep ourselves encouraged!!! love you all!!
hey rita when you said you been on and off for 6 months. how long did you stay off and then went back on. also you said dont cheat just enjoy the 2 days off correct? have you ever just skip the 2 days off? do you think you need the 2 days off to jump start the weight lost again? and congrats on the 70lbs lose.
I started the diet on Aug. 31 and today Sept 11 I have lost 10 lbs. I know that you can eat fruit on your 2 days off, but can you just eat anything that you want on your 2 days. For instance can I have the spicy hot fried pork skins? What about the potato chips and other junk food you can’t eat on the diet days? What about barbeque ribs, pizza, cheeseburgers? Anyone have any experience with these foods on your days off. By the way, I have been eating until stuffed like the diet says, 6-8 pcs of bacon and egg whites for breakfast etc. Good luck everyone and lets keep the comments coming to support each other.
I started the diet on 9/10 my weight on that day was 177 (I just had a baby 3 months ago) So far I am following the diet as it is listed its a little hard but with each day its gets a little easy. I am wanting to loose 20lbs by my bday on 10/28 and an overall 30 by December so keep your fingers crossed, I will touch base back in a couple of days to let you guys know how things are going. also is ok to eat caned Collard Greens?
I just tho. I would let everyone out there like my self know this diet dose work, if it works for me then it realy works! I my stepdad and mother are all on this together an we are all doing well. I started on 9-3-08 an it is 9-12-08 an have lost 8 Lbs an that is alot in that short of time for me. well good luck to everyone this is hard but we can all do this. we will feel good when we meat our gools!
I am starting this the Mayo Diet tomorrow. I need to lose at least 40 pounds. I am so miserable at my present weight. Wish me luck, and good luck to all of you.
I started this diet on 08-25-08. My weight is 205. I have lost 10 pounds. I noticed that I am loosing fat around my stomach area… I feel so much better. Good luck to all!
I have been on the diet 3 weeks today… I have lost 10 lbs. and staying at 10 lbs. for the past week. I really have not taken my 2 days off. I just had a few cheats here and there and counted that for the days off. Do you actually need the 2 days off to jump start the diet or why am I at a stand still. Because it was very exciting to see the quick progress when I first started. Any suggestions……
Just to let every one know that the diet or as I call it the “WOL” (Way of Life) DOES infact work. I have been off and on for about 6 months and I have lost 70 LBS. If you stick to it, and I mean really stick to it, the weight will literally fall off. Also, the cheese is a no no, because most people tend to get HAPPY when using cheese, and not realizing that there is quite a few calories in it. The real key is to find a dressing that you really like, and once you do that you really won’t miss the cheese on your salads. Also, try the Ruby Red Light grapefruit juice. It has 1/2 of everything that regular juice has and I LOVE it! Once last FYI, if you just try not to cheat rather your 12 days on or your 2 days off, it won’t be hard to reach whatever goal there is that you may have.
WOW! Big S! Great job! 13 lbs. in one week is great.
Laura-many people water down their juice. Good luck to you!
I AM NOT SURE IF MY FIRST COMMENT WORKED. CAN WE EAT LUNCH MEATS? AND I THINK I SEEN THAT CHEESE IS OK BUT IT NEVER MENTIONS IT ON THE DIET PLAN. WHAT ABOUT JELLO
MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE JUST STARTING THE DIET. IT SAYS RED GREEN AND YELLOW VEGGIES SO DOES THAT MEAN CORN ON THE COB WHICH IS YELLOW? ALSO THE OLD MAYO CLINIC DIET I WENT ON 35 YEARS AGO STARTED WTIH A TWO DAY CLEANSING DIET AND THEN CLOSE TO THIS DIET BUT IT HAS SPECIFIC FOOD EACH DAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE THAT DIET THAT I COULD SEE> THANKS AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU
I just finished my first week and lost 13 lbs. I saw results the first day. It is the most effective weight loss I’ve tried, and I’ve tried them all and still ended up at 302#.
Maddie you cant use grapefruit in light syrup. Syrup is sugar. If you dont like or can’t find grapefruit, get 100% grapfruit juice & read the back of the bottle because sometimes it will say 100% juice and it’s not all grapefruit juice. Dont’t want you to waste your time. GOOD LUCK!
I started the diet yesterday and have found it easy to stick to so far. I read that a lot of people don’t like the grapefruit juice, I water mine down a little to help dilute it so it doesnt taste as bad. I figure it can’t hurt cause water is good on any diet. Good luck to everyone trying this diet. Hope it works for me as well.
How is everyone doing? These comments seem to be slow in getting posted, but let’s keep each other encouraged by showing our results! I started yesterday (restart) on 9/08/08 and this morning am down 2 lbs.!
Okay, so I just bought all the stuff I need for this diet. But, I bought grapefruit that is packaged in “Super Light Syrup”. I realize this is not the exact plan, but oh well. The grapefruits at my grocery store looked like crap.
Lunch tomorrow: Thick cut turkey over salad w/ ranch dressing & grapefruit. Yumm.
STARTING: 9/08/08
WEIGHT: 177
Hope I can make this work
i’m starting this diet with my brother on 9/15/08. My weight now is 190. & i want to lose 50 lbs.
Sp-thanks for the encouragement. Great job on the weight loss!
Chrystal-I am 5′2″ and hope to lose 25 lbs. 2 months would be great! Let’s hope this will do it!
BPeet-I think it’s okay to use egg beaters, but the whole egg would probably be more satisfying to get you through to lunch. Also, diet soda/drinks are allowed as long as they are caffeine free.
noblepainter-Not sure if more grapefruit is okay. I love it too! I think that shrimp in garlic and butter is perfectly fine!
I read somewhere that you should have the grapefruit 20-30 minutes before the meal. Anyone doing that or just eating with the meal?
so far five days and 7 pounds lost
Hey guys I’m going to start this diet tomorrow 9-6-08. I weigh 250 and want to lose 100 lbs. I will come on here to keep everyone posted! With everyones success I’m excited to start! Good luck everyone!
I plan to start this diet on 9-8-08. I am 30 years old and I weigh 220 pounds. I heard this diet really works and can not wait to get started to see the results. My goal is to lose 75 pounds.
you do have to eat the eggs in the morn. and you can have up to 8oz grapefruit juice (unsweetened)at each meal.
Shrimp in butter is fine also. any kind of meat. except fried in flour.
This is my 2nd day, I feel that this diet is very promising! Think about it, you can come up with some awesome combinations of yummy food! Question: Does anyone know if you can have more grapefruit at each meal? Sorry, I know some of you hate it, but I happen to love it. And do you think shrimp in garlic & butter is allowed?
I have started just about every diet in the world and have not been able to finish due to lack of discipline. I am 26 years old with a little girl who will be 2 in a few months, so I have no excuse for the excess weight anymore. My weakness is food, but i am at the point where I am tired of people asking me if I am pregnant. I plan to start this diet with the goal of losing 50 lbs. Wish me luck!! I think the most exciting part of the whole experience with the be the support of my husband. I am curious about drinks. I am not a coffee or soda drinker, but what about diet drinks? Oh and flavored water? Can you use egg beaters? I need every bit of encouragement that I can get. Thank you all for you post!!!!
I am 5′2 and weigh 148lbs. I am wanting opinions on the average weight loss for 2 months. Could I lose 25lbs???
This diet really works. Have been exercising and strictly following diet. Am pleased to announce I have lost 14lbs. I don’t believe it’s all just fluid. I can see my body shrinking!It was a challenge up to about day 5 and then things seemed easier. Am going to eat lots of fruit in the next two days before beginning again. This really does work. Stick with it!
started 8/7/08 15 pounds and counting. good luck everyone!!!
I started this diet 9 days ago and so far I have gone from 13 stone (182lbs) to 12stone 5lbs (173lbs) definately worth it because it does work and isn’t that hard to follow. I plan to do this for about a month and see if it still produces such huge results. I had headaches the first few days because I tried to kick caffeine completely, but I let myself have peppermint tea and earl grey now and have no milk. I’ve also naughtily had some cheese now and then. I don’t know what to eat on my days off but I will probably stick to porridge for breakfast soup for lunch and semi healthy suppers! Good luck to everyone starting or doing it again or in the middle.
Sarah, I believe the reason they say to eat the whole egg is that the fat and nutrition in the yolks will keep you more satisfied. I am wondering the same thing about the milk at night. One website says it’s optional another says not. I would like to use it in my morning coffee, but not sure.
Sana-the plan says to eat what you want but don’t go crazy if you want the best results. I plan to add back in WINE and 1/2 & 1/2 in my coffee then just eat LC the rest of the day.
Keep us posted KG!
Good luck KH i am trying to drop 20 lbs ahh
Congrats SUPER MOM! I have a question for u do have to drink skin milk at night or can i skip it the diet says it is optional??? Also for breakfast is it ok just to eat 2 egg whites or the whole egg?? What do I eat on my 2 days off?? Help Supermom!
good luck KG!
Started 9/1/08 weighing 285 and hoping to lose 40-50 pounds. heard it works great from a coworker who lost 40 in 2 months
What can I eat on my 2 off days??? Help!
This my 1st day 9/1/08 i am very exicted i need to drop 20lbs. Do I have to drink skin milk at night???? Can I skip it. Also for breakfast can i just eat egg whites? Thanks so much.
Has anyone used the skim milk from the bedtime snack for their morning coffee. I really want to follow this exactly, but don’t feel the need for the milk in the evening, but would love it for my coffee! What do you think?
Supermom, wow 12 lbs.! That is what is making me excited to start. All these great results!
Super Mom, you have given me all the motivation I need to make this diet work. I too have a treadmill and am using it each day. I will read your comments daily to keep me on track. I hope my loss is as successful as yours. Well done. You have such will power!
good luck supermom keep posting. do you have anymore ideas on food to eat? i’m going to try the chicken salad and fajita beef, thanks for the idea.
I started the Mayo Clinic diet 8/21/’08 and today is my 11th day and I have lost 12lbs. as of today and I am thrilled. My need was and is my health. My family doctor approved my trying this diet if I am careful to have at least 1 to 2 hours before and after I take my b/pressure medicine each morning,because sometimes the grapefruit juice can interfere with the medicine’s potency, but so far so good. No problems and I pray there will not be, so that I may continue to lose and improve my health. I also walk on our treadmill 5 days a week,sometimes 6 days for 40 to 50 min. and plan to keep increasing the time and distance,but I am having to go slower that usual, only 2.8-3.0 because of an inflamed sciatic nerve. I am encouraging some friends to try this diet. It works! My favorite meal so far has been a Fajita Beef or Chicken salad, using Picate? Salsa as the dressing. I even put tomatoes and red onions in the salad. Hmmmmmmmmmm Good! Very filling. I purchase the frozen Fajita pre-cooked brand meat.
I am starting this on Sept. 1st. I am excited to start. I need to lose about 30 lbs. Best of luck to everyone and I will keep you posted.
My first post didn’t get posted. Hope this works!
Hey all! I also am going to start on Sept. 1. I need to lose about 30 lbs. I lost 35 last year on Atkins and now am slowly gaining. I want this weight off finally and think I can do this. Best to everyone. Let’s keep checking in!!
pjs-I think salt and pepper are okay (unless you have sodium issues) and it says to keep caffeinated drinks (tea) to 2 cups. I bet if you have decaffeinated teas it would be fine. BUT I haven’t even started yet so maybe someone else will say differently
Have been on the diet for 12 days and have lost 7 pounds. Looking forward to tomorrow. Question: I know you can’t have yellow squash, but what about Zucchini squash? It’s green. Also, does the cheese have to be low fat or regular? And my blood pressure meds say “no grapefruit”-what’s my alternative? I have been drinking orange juice.
Hi all, i hope you don’t mind me joining you!? I am starting on 1st September. I currently weigh 224lbs and want to get down to 147lbs so 73lbs to go! Hope it works!!! All these comments have really given me incouragement, i can’t wait to start now! :0)