How Does the Mayo Clinic Diet Work?

Fad Version of Mayo Clinic Diet

The fad version of the Mayo Clinic Diet is not actually affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and has been specifically disavowed by Mayo Clinic experts. It claims to work primarily by recommending grapefruit with every meal, restricting foods with carbohydrates (such as white rice and potatoes) and recommending unlimited quantities of meat.

Theory Behind the Fad Mayo Clinic Diet

There are a two main theories behind how the fad version of the Mayo Clinic Diet would work. The first is an unsubstantiated belief in grapefruit as a weight loss aid. There are a number of other fad diets also that cite this principle, claiming that eating grapefruit leads to fat burn. In reality, no research has ever pinpointed any special fat burning capability in grapefruit. (It is a healthy food to eat, but not a miracle ingredient for weight loss). The other principle behind the fad Mayo Clinic Diet resembles that of more popular Atkins or South Beach Diets--the idea that eating carbohydrates causes weight gain and thus it is better to eat a diet largely consisting of fat and protein. There is some research to support low carbohydrate diets, but usually with gradual increases over time in carbohydrate content and not an extended extreme reduction of carbohydrates.

Real Mayo Clinic Diet

The Mayo Clinic issued a set of recommendations in 2006 in an attempt to distance itself from the fad Mayo Clinic Diet. This legitimate Mayo Clinic "Diet" works by using widely accepted and recognized principles, such as following a food pyramid with a base of unlimited fruits and vegetables followed by a strong base of carbohydrates, with smaller amounts of fat and protein (a direct contrast to the fad version of the diet). It also recommends physical activity, which is not addressed by the fad version.

How the Real Mayo Clinic Diet Works

The legitimate version of the Mayo Clinic Diet works not as much for weight loss as for improved health. Nearly all health experts recommend daily exercise and a healthy diet that is based on copious fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limited quantities of good proteins and fats. This type of a diet gives the body the building blocks it needs to maintain health and ward off illnesses. This Mayo Clinic Diet could be used for weight loss as well, but the total daily intake of calories would need to be lower than the amount of calories used in the course of a day in order for weight loss to occur.