The Mayo Clinic Diet was also called the TWA Stewardess Diet sometimes, and is very similar to what was was known as the Grapefruit diet. It has been around for a while and was popular fad diet during the 1990’s.

Even though it was called The Mayo Clinic Diet, they never endorsed it. The diet was based around grapefruit, lots of salad and protein, and a few carbohydrates. Weight loss was supposed to be in the region of 50-55 pounds in 10 weeks.

This is a short term, rapid weight loss program that will take weight off primarily because the calories are so low. The downside is that there are not enough nutrients, protein, fat or vitamins to balance things out. In addition you will lose muscle mass if you stay on it.

Finally when you go off of it, and start eating regular again, the odds are high that you will gain it all back, unless you balance your diet with more nutritious choices, and exercise. I know from personal experience having tried it in 1990. I lost about 12 pounds the first two weeks, and then fell off the wagon, because I didn’t like grapefruit. Within about 3 months, I had gained my original 12 back plus around three more.

Like anything else you have to use some common sense with this type of diet. This principle was that it is a chemical breakdown, so do not substitute any of the meals. You can use salt and pepper, but no other seasonings. No bread on the four diet days. Only stay on the diet for 4 days at a time. The other 3 days of the week you can eat what you want in moderation.

Breakfast all 4 days ½ Grapefruit (No Sugar), Coffee (Black)

Day One

Lunch 4 oz Steak, Lettuce & Tomato Salad, 1 apple

Dinner 2 Hardboiled Eggs, 1 cup Green Beans, ½ Grapefruit

 Day Two

 Lunch 1 Breast of Chicken, Lettuce Salad, 6 oz. Tomato Juice

 Dinner 1 cup each, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Squash, Applesauce

 Day Three

 Lunch 1 Hamburger Patty, Lettuce Salad, 1 apple

 Dinner 1 Brest of Chicken, Lettuce Salad, 6 oz. Prune Juice

 Day Four

 Lunch 2 Scrambled Eggs, 1 cup Green Beans, 6 oz. Tomato Juice

 Dinner 4 oz Steak, Lettuce Salad, 6 oz. Pineapple Juice

 Today there are many more options available for going on a diet and weight loss has become a prominent issue in our culture. Keeping healthy is a balance between, proper nutrition, diet and exercise. Diet alone will not get you where you want to go.