If you search online for “mayo clinic diet,” be sure that you find your way to the real deal. Some offbeat diet plans have used the name “Mayo Clinic Diet,” but these plans aren’t necessarily endorsed by the medical and nutrition experts at the actual Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minn.
The real Mayo Clinic Plan is simple and straightforward and based on goal of long-term weight management for overall health. The Mayo Clinic Plan is less about the nitty-gritty of counting calories and more about controlling portion sizes and including a healthy mix of foods each day. Their portion control suggestions are based on common sense: Read the package labels and know how much you’re really eating. Share a large entrée with a friend when dining out. Steer clear of second helpings.
The Mayo Clinic’s own Healthy Weight Pyramid, similar to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food pyramid, allows “unlimited” servings of fruits and vegetables (I guess they know there is only so much spinach one might care to eat in a single day), along with 4 to 8 servings of healthy carbs, 3 to 7 servings of lean protein, 3 to 5 servings of healthy fats, and up to 75 calories of sweets (that’s probably where many of us would tip the pyramid).
Another component of the Mayo Clinic plan is the old but true diet adage: Eat breakfast. Although it can be tempting to skip breakfast in order to “save” the calories for later in the day, if weight loss is your goal, then allow for those breakfast calories. Research has shown that people who eat breakfast have better focus and concentration throughout the day (and perhaps better will power) and they are less likely to overeat in the evening).
DietTV.com has your best and full review for each diet plan with pictures of what you can/can't eat.
