Mayo Clinic diet

The Mayo Clinic Diet has been around since the 1940's encouraging a low carbohydrate approach. The diet claims a quick weight loss by including only a narrow range of foods. Grapefruits are used at each meal to supposedly boost the weight loss process. The diet is supposed to last anywhere between 3-7 days and should not go any longer than 7 days.

While on the diet, participants are allowed an unlimited amount of grapefruit, meat and poultry. The meat and fat is intended to stop feelings of hunger. You can also eat fried foods such as bacon without having to worry about breaking your diet. All of the fat in this diet is supposed to satisfy your appetite to keep you from being hungry for carb-based snacks. On this so-called "Mayo Clinic Diet", complex carbs are, for the most part, banned and any other carb intake is supposed to be strictly limited.

A statement on the Mayo Clinic's website shows that they did not create the diet and do not endorse it. This diet does not work for long-term weight management. One of the major reasons is that the diet doesn't teach you portion control - it is a "one-size-fits-all" diet, which the Mayo Clinic's website labels as "a sure sign of a hoax". This diet can also lead to fatigue and the inability to concentrate on daily tasks.