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.

October 15th, 2008ANNJENNETTE

THIS IS DAY 3 AND I AM STILL AT IT. SO FAR SO GOOD. I HAVE A FRIEND AT WORK AND MY DAUGHTER AT HOME KEEPING ME LEGAL AND ITS STILL HARD. I AM NOT REALLY A CANDY PERSON BUT I FIND MYSELF WANTING THINGS I DONT EVEN EAT USUALLY. I AM TAKING IT 1 DAY AT A TIME. I BROUGHT SOME GRAPEFRUITS TRYING TO GET A VARIETY. LETHAL WEAPON THANKS FOR THE IDEA( HOT WINGS) MAYBE I CAN DO THIS!
October 14th, 2008Lethal Weapon

Hi all. Tamilla, you will also lose inches so check with your tight clothes(try these on to see the difference). If you are following the diet you will lose. I am down 18 lbs in 6 wks(approximately 3 lbs a week). I started eating 8 slices of bacon and as many eggs so that I wasn’t hungry and didn’t get a headache but backed down to the 2 slices and 2 eggs as my hunger got under control. I also eat cheese occasionally, esp. if it comes on my salad at a resturant(after all I can’t have the bread). I set my days off on my work nights(yes, I work 12 hr nights) and on my days off I “cheat” on my diet days with no bean, chili for dinner or TGIFs Hot Wings. I have this with the grapefruit juice and it keeps me honest and true to the diet the rest of the time.
October 14th, 2008ANNJENNETTE

I started the diet yesterday. I read all of the replies and I am ready for a change. I will need encouragement, so thanks to all the supporters. I want to lose weight so I can exercise comfortable. I am considerablly over weight and I’ve tried all types of diets. Here I go!
October 14th, 2008char

Hi guys, I just started the diet today 10/14 since I’m use to having waffles and sausage for breakfast i’m not so full. I really want this to work and I also know that this is a fad diet but you have to start somewhere. Keep me in your prayers.
October 13th, 2008sotiredofdieting

i am on my 2nd cycle of the 12 days. i had lost 7lbs by the 11th day and then on my final day had gained 2lbs. i got so mad, but i went on my two days off didn’t even each much because i didn’t have much of a appetite and didn’t crave any sweets. now today is my first day back on and im scared to get on the scale im gonna wait about 3 days to let the diet kick back in hopefully i lost the extra 2lbs plus some more. anyone else experience a weight gain???
October 13th, 2008Jacey

10/13/08 I have been on this diet since 10/11/08. The first day was the worst but has gotten easier as time gone by. Miss my Cherry Coke but oh well getting better about that. My husband is doing this with me. Will be interesting to see how we do.
October 12th, 2008tamilla

today is my 7th day an my weight is at a stand still? for the past 2days i havent lost or gained anything? im following diet to the T…so far ive lost 14lbs. but maybe im doin sumthing wrong? i have soooooo much more to lose. any suggestions?
October 9th, 2008Almost There

10/9/2008 I’ve been on this diet for the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have lost a total of 15 pounds, the only difference is that I eat what ever I want on Sundays, I started it agian on 10/6/ and I have decided that Im going to do it for the whole 12 days. I need 15 more pounds to go.WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2008kris

hi hardtolose,
i’ve stuck to the diet for 11 days and am down 11 pounds. i’ve worked out 8 times for ~1 hour each time (some days cardio, others cardio and weights, pilates) in those 11 days. I feel great. and i know you’re not supposed to, but i still have wine some nights, but do not give into temptation to snack or eat any carbs while doing so. first cheating weekend coming up, can’t wait!
October 9th, 2008Tanya

The diet does work. I lost 26.50 pounds in 2 months. You just have to stick with it. Dont give up. Good luck everyone.
October 8th, 2008HAROLD

HEY,how’s everyone doin,I was going to wait till my 12 day’s is over on the 17th but i droped another 4 lbs. as of 10/ 8/ 08.I don’t know if anyone want’s to do this but i keep a note book with each meal of every thing i eat,the day, date, & time, so i eat about the same time every day. AND on my 2 day’s off do the same. THIS really help’s me. and sally chicken & turkey is good to eat as long as it’s skinless and baked, i eat both. HAROLD
October 8th, 2008Lou

Does anyone have the cabbage soup recipe that goes with this diet. I tried this about 10 yrs ago with the soup & I lost 30# with it. If anyone has the soup recipe Please send it to me.Hicknanny@yahoo.com
October 8th, 2008Qiana

hey guys, today oct.8, 2008 is my 7th day on the diet and I just wanted to let you know that I have lost 5lbs. I am still suffering terrible headaches. I know it’s withdrawal from the large amounts of sugar and carbs that I was eating on a daily basis. I rather deal with the headaches now though and look good in thirty days. I started out 147.5lbs and today I am 142.0lbs. I’m happy that I am off to a good start. I just want so say that the diet really works you just have to stick with it as would any diet that you stick to. Best wishes and good luck to all will check back in on oct. 13th
October 8th, 2008Clairol

I tried this diet 5 years ago and lost a total of 70 pounds in 6 months! Now, because of babies, I am needing to go back and lose another 70! I start tomorrow, will let everyone know how I go! This diet does work! Keep up the good work All! Cheers!
October 6th, 2008jen

what do you do once you’ve reached your target weight?
October 6th, 2008hardtolose

Hey guys,
whas goin on? No comments on how anyones doing lately!
Yep I started today 10/6 and feelin ok – not hungry thus far so thats off to a great start. Come on guys need to hear some comments on how your all doin. email me sunnyaugustday@gmail.com
or type in more comments here. LETS COMMUNICATE AND KEEP EACH OTHER ENCOURAGED!
October 6th, 2008jen

i have a question. what do you do once you’ve reached your target weight? is there a plan for tapering off the diet?
October 5th, 2008Ronda

This diet works, the first time I tryed it I lost 40lbs. I always looked forward to the 2 off days, you do crave certain foods.
October 5th, 2008sally

is turkey meat and chicken meat good to eat also
October 5th, 2008lola

I am trying this diet in the morning. I am desperate to lose the 10 pounds that I have put on in 2 months.
October 3rd, 2008Candy

This will be my second attempt at this diet. I lost 25lbs the first time. I will start on 10/7/08, and I hope to lose 40lbs this time. Wish me luck….
October 3rd, 2008hardtolose

I’ve tried so many diets and am hoping this one really works. I’ve read all comments and feel confident this will work for me. I am starting on Monday 10/6/08 – hope to be a success story by the 12th day. Congrats to all that are wining the battle!
October 3rd, 2008Ashley

I just had a baby girl in August and gained an extra 40 pounds. Husband is coming home from Iraq sometime in December/January and hope to lose the extra 40. But I’m cheating and going to start the diet on October 11th so I can eat what I want on Thanksgiving.haha! My mom is doing it with me. She’s done it before and lost 20 pounds after just a couple weeks.
October 3rd, 2008kay

im starting today october 3rd and want to loose a total of 18 lbs by december
October 2nd, 2008HAROLD

hey,how is everyone doin.I’VE read everybody’s comment’s and if you read mine on 9/21/08 i need to lose a bunch,so i’am happy to let you know today 10/2/08 is my 12th day .lost 10 lbs. 4oz,start back on sunday.you all can do this if i can.keep up the good work will report back in 14 day’s this help’s alot by reading you all’s comment’s thank’s ( harold )
October 2nd, 2008Qiana

I went on this diet about six months ago and I lost 7lbs in the first three days. Yesterday Oct. 1, 2008 I started again wish me well this time around will let you know my results Oct. 13th.
October 1st, 2008gina

todays is 10.1.08, i work in a doctors office and 2 of out pts told us about the diet so tomorrow some of my so workers and i are going to get started, i hope to loose 50 pounds before chtistmas.
October 1st, 2008Anonymous

Today is my first day Otober 1. I am going to try it and see how it goes.
October 1st, 2008DESTINEY

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY I WILL START THE DEIT I HOPE I LOSE WEIGHT I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM DEIT PILLS TO SLIM FAST NOTHINGS WORKING I HOPE THIS WORK !WISH ME
September 30th, 2008Mandi

I started this diet yesterday. I’ve have lost 2 lbs since I weighed yesterday morning. The only thing is I feel weak. I’m a carb junkie!! I feel like I could eat a loaf of bread!! I will let everybody know how it goes.
September 29th, 2008Angela

Today is September 29th, my first day. I will check back in twelve days to let you all know how it goes and how much weight i lost. My current weight is 160. I’ve always weighed 135, but in my first year of marrige i guess i got out of hand with the fast food and going out to dinner. Wish me luck, i hope this works. I was doing the slimfast thing for two months and have not lost a thing. Yeah crazy! Stay focused everyone.
September 29th, 2008job

http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Here is a site where I am posting a challenge thread for all who are following this diet. Sorry, I wish I knew how to post it as a link but go to this site and you will find me under “Mayo Clinic Challenge”. We can post and support daily. Hope to see some of you there!!
September 28th, 2008Eileen

My husband lost over 50 pounds and dramatically lowered his cholesterol, as well as bringing his diabetes under control. It is not good to stay on for a long period, but to jump start your weight loss to get you started on a healthy life style.
September 27th, 2008Jessy

Today is September 27, 2008. Yesterday was my 27th birthday and at 5″5′ I weight 153 lbs. I was down to 134 lbs a couple of months ago and gained it all back due to “binge” eating. I want to get down to 130 lbs. I tried the Quick Weight Loss Center diet and I didn’t have too much success on it, although my husband did loose 50 lbs on that plan. I just want to loose the weight and change my lifestyle to live a healthy life. I’m starting this diet on Monday…wish me luck!! I’ll check back in after the 12 days.
September 26th, 2008job

HMMM-I saw my post from today, but now it is gone! Anyway, I am starting this (again) on Sept. 29. Thanks, Thee, for the encouraging words from God! Let’s keep posting our results!
September 25th, 2008job

Thanks Thee! God’s word is always an encourager! How is everyone doing? Please check in! I started then stopped due to circumstances, but I’m back on it! I will definitely let you know my progress. I’ve asked this before, but no one has answered. Instead of having the skim milk in the evening is it okay to use in coffee in the morning? I don’t feel the need in the evening, but would love it in my coffee! Best to everyone!
September 25th, 2008Thee

Today’s date: 09/25/08 I have been on this diet plan for one month. I weigh myself this morning and my weight is 190. I have lost 15 pounds plus inches. I am so proud of myself. I would like to leave each of you with this:In the bible,1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. This verse has helped me stick to this diet plan and with God’s help he has given me the strength to loose weight. I will check back in a month. God bless you all.
September 24th, 2008Yolanda

I started the diet on 9/23/08 and I really hope it works. I am newly divorced and I have improved every aspect of my life except me being over wieght and NOW is the time! I weigh 241 pounds. I can’t even believe I just wrote that. I would love to lose 71 pounds. My goal weight is 170. I’ll report back on 10/02/08 with good news hopefully!
September 23rd, 2008HAROLD

hey,started 9/21/08 hope this work’s my weight is 381 never been this big in my life.will let you know how it’s going in 9 more day’s.hope you all lose the weight you set your goal at.never give up,that’s what happen to me,now have to work really hard to lose all this fat GOOD LUCK
September 22nd, 2008sharon

hey i started the diet 9/22/08. Hope it works starting weight 192 and wanting to get down to 150. i will check back in on 10/3/08
September 21st, 2008Mommytu1

I’m thinking about trying this out and starting tomorrow 9/22/08
For breakfast, am I only allowed 2 slices of bacon? I usually eat turkey bacon so I’m assuming that will be ok. Also for tomatoe juice, does it have to be plain tomatoe juice or can it be v8?
September 20th, 2008Audrey

QUESTION?? How much protein have you all been eating at lunch and dinner?. I know it says eat until you are full but I can eat and eat sometimes and I am wondering if I am eating too much steak at each meal. I can easily eat a 16lb nice thick rib steak for lunch and dinner. Do you think thats going overboard?
Any advice about this from people who have lost alot of weight on this diet?
Thanks
September 20th, 2008Healthy Mamma

I lost most of my 90 pound pregnancy weight gain a few years ago on this diet within a year. Only gained 40 pounds with my 2nd. Started again this past Monday and already lost 5 pounds.

To Answer some questions with my past experiences of weight loss with this diet. You can use spenda or equal. My mother hates eggs and she went on this diet with me. She either substituted 2 ounces of other meat or doubled the bacon. I have used turkey bacon in the past, it worked fine. Also, I used to substitute sausage some weeks for the bacon and it still worked fine. I just checked the label to make sure that the sausage was almost free of carbs. I know that it says no white veggies, but I love califlower which happens to be a very low carb veggie. I used to eat it all the time and still lost a ton of weight. I used to make a shepherds pie using mashed califlower instead of potato. I do think that it’s true about the cheese slowing the weight loss for some people a little, but if you’re on this diet for a long time and its between some cheese or breaking the diet. Be reasonable. Also this diet works with no exercise, but if you are able to exercise, both your weight loss and health will greatly improve. These are just my experiences, I hope they help.
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!
September 19th, 2008wannabeskinny

I have lost SEVEN lbs in 2 days!! I am not sure if this is good or not. I have a lot of weight to lose (100+ lbs) so it could be because of that. I will be keeping an eye out on it though.
September 19th, 2008georgiagirl

Today is day five on this diet.9/19/08. Have lost 4 pounds. Be sure to eat enough so you don’t feel hungry. Good luck to all..I’m over fifty and weight does not come off as easily as it used too. This seems to be a good diet. Good luck to all.
September 18th, 2008wants to start!

Hey my step mom and I have been talkin about doing the “3 day diet” and I ran across this one. The food sounds better and it seems that everyone is losing more weight. for our height we are very over weight. We would really like to start this monday 9/22/08. Would any one PLEASE email with some meal ideas? and also any thing else that would help us drop the LBS!! My email is butterfly24981@yahoo.com!!!!! Thanks for all that have posted, you guys have really said great things about this and its really made me want to try!!!!!
September 18th, 2008Jen Jen

While this may not answer well any of your questions I thought that this was a good article from a credible source that gives validity to the diet. It doesn;t tell you if you can have turkey bacon, FAKon, cheese, fried chicken (or any of the other questions) it will help you to defend the unsupportive peoples comments that you all may be getting
http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100096310#
I’ve been on the diet for 18 days, and had to restart 1 time, but I just got back to it, and I have lost 10LBS! I am so looking forward to my 2 days off this weekend, and then back to the diet. I don’t have alot to lose so other diets, and crazy working out plans have never been able to get below 140. EVER! This diet did it! I will sing it’s praises for ever~!
Good luck everyone, keep up the good work!
September 18th, 2008Azahel

Can i drink any diet coke, or its better for me not too?Some one please answer!!!!
September 18th, 2008noblepainter

Hello all… I started this diet on Sept 1 and I’VE LOST LOST 12 POUNDS to date. I cheated on the 16th day with sushi & a martini bcz it was my daughter’s bday. But I”m back on track. I have noticed that I am not losing a pound a day, but I am losing inches. So guys, don’t be discouraged by the scale. Did anyone find out if turkey bacon is ok? Some of my friends are vegetarians but want to go on the diet. I am so proud of all of you.
September 18th, 2008Panamagirl

I know this diet works I tried it a few yrs ago and lost 5lbs every 5 days or so…I had been unable to exercise for the past year and gained about 20 lbs. I’m 5′3 and was 129 until I started to workout 6 weeks ago..I’m 124 now an am looking to lose those last 10-15 lbs…Started today 9-18-08..I check back in a few days to see how it’s going. Good luck everyone!