Mayo Diet

The Mayo Clinic Diet is typical of a fad diet. The diet has no affiliation with the Mayo Clinic Health Center and Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. The diet was conceived over 30 years ago and its origin remains unknown. Its primary sources of distribution are the Internet, junk mail, bulletin boards, word of mouth and faxes. The diet has taken on many forms over the years, but the primary characteristics of the diet are that it usually contains grapefruit, is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

The theory behind the Mayo Clinic Diet is that a low carbohydrate diet plan results in quick weight loss. The three-to-seven day diet allows for the unlimited consumption of grapefruit, meat and poultry. Grapefruit is consumed at each meal as a way of encouraging the body to burn fat. The meat and fat are purported to make the stomach feel full and curb the appetite. The combined effect should result in increased weight loss. Fried foods are encouraged.

Who created the Mayo Diet?

Unknown.

Medical Studies

DietCompare is not aware of any clinical studies that attempt to test the Mayo Diet.

Cautionary Notes

The Section of Clinical Nutrition for the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, provides the following as official advice:

Variations of the Mayo Clinic Diet did not originate at the Mayo Clinic and are not approved by the Mayo Clinic. These diets may promote temporary quick weight loss, however they are not nutritionally balanced or a safe method of weight loss for long-term success. Such diets can be dangerous for some individuals.

Diets prescribed by Mayo Clinic doctors and dietitians are individualized for each patient's needs, taking into account medical history and current eating and exercise habits. There is no one diet that works for everyone.

Additional Resources

Mayo Clinic diet manual.
Publisher: Philadelphia, Saunders, 1971.