including the United States Department of Agricul-
ture (USDA) concluded that a healthy weight loss is
based on a nutritionally balanced diet with selections
from the five food groups.
Furthermore, healthy selections for all people are
recommended in the nutritional guidelines issued
jointly by the USDA and Department of Health and
Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
2005 recommends a diet that emphasizes fruits, vege-
tables, whole grains, and fat free or low-fat milk and
milk products. Selections from the protein food group
should include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs,
and nuts. In addition, the diet should be low in satu-
rated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.
Moreover, much of the Mayo Clinic fad diet con-
flicts with the American Heart Association’s ‘‘2006
Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations.’’ The nutri-
tional guidelines for preventing cardiovascular disease
include a diet of:
Less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. An
egg yolk contains approximately 200 milligrams of
cholesterol. Egg whites are cholesterol-free and rated
by the association as a good source of protein.
A variety of fruits and vegetables. These foods could
help control weight and blood pressure.
I Meats and poultry without skin. They should be
prepared without added saturated fat.
Less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. This
is the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of salt. High-sodium
foods on the Mayo Clinic diet include: bacon, ham,
sausage, hot dogs, lunch meat, and salad dressings.
The American Heart Association and other organ-
izations recommend that people exercise regularly,
usually from 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week.General acceptance
Versions of the Mayo Clinic fad diet have been in
circulation since the 1930s. The weight loss plan’s
popularity was related to the fact that people rapidly
lost weight by eating foods not ordinarily on a diet.
The popularity of the diet seemed to lessen when the
public discovered the Atkins diet, a weight-loss plan
with some similarities.Resources
BOOKS
Hensrud, Donald (ed.)Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for
EveryBody.Mayo Clinic, 2005.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606. (800) 877-1600.<http://
eatright.org>.
American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Green-
ville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. (800) 242-8721.<http://
http://www.americanheart.org.>.
Center for Food-Drug Interaction Research and Education
(grapefruit only), website.<http://www.druginterac-
tioncenter.org/index.php>.
Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W.,Rochester, MN 55905. (507)
284-2511.<http://www.mayoclinic.com>
OTHER
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Physical Activity and Good Nutrition: Essential
Elements to Prevent Chronic Diseases and Obesity At A
Glance 2007.<http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publica-
tions/aag/dnpa.htm>(April 9, 2007).
Mayo Clinic.Grapefruit juice: Can it cause drug inter-
actions?<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-
and-nutrition/AN00413>(April 12, 2007).
Food and Nutrition Information Center National Agricul-
tural Library/USDAWeight Control and Obesity
Resource List for Consumers<http://www.nal.usda.
gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/weight/consumer.html>
(April 11, 2007).
Mayo Clinic.Mayo Clinic Diet: A weight-loss program
for life(2006).<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/
mayo-clinic-diet/WT00016>(April 7, 2007).
U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of
Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for
Americans 2005<http://www.health.gov/dietaryguide-
lines/dga2005/document>(April 9, 2007).
Zelman, Kathleen M. ‘‘The Grapefruit Diet. ’’WebMD<http://
http://www.webmd.aol.com/diet/features/the-grapefruit-diet
?page=1>(February 20007).Liz SwainQUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR How much weight do I need to lose?
Is it safe for me to go on the Mayo Clinic fad diet?
Should I go back on the diet after the first two-
week cycle?
Should I avoid certain foods because of
medications I’m taking or because of a health
condition?
What meats should I eat on this diet?
Should I limit the amount of fried food that I eat?
Will I gain the weight back after I stop dieting?
What should I do to prevent a weight gain?Mayo Clinic diet (fad diet)