Anyone who goes on a diet naturally wants to succeed. And the best way - yes, the very best way - to begin is to read a substantial number of diet reviews because then we can find an eating plan that suits our preferences. After all, if you hate meat then the Atkins or Zone diet would be tough to impossible. And when reading about diets, you are certain to come across one of the most famous ever: the Mayo Clinic Diet.
Ignore all counterfeits. The real Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to be simple and motivational, with a focus on developing life-long healthy habits, especially regarding food and exercise. The heart of the diet is the Healthy Weight Pyramid, a guideline to how many servings from each category of foods you may eat. Categories include vegetables, fruits, “smart” carbohydrates, lean protein, including reduced-fat dairy, and healthy fats.
The first phase, called “Lose It!”, is an ambitious calorie reduction phase with goals of only 1200 to 1800 calories consumed. It is used with the pyramid to determine how many servings a dieter should eat in their valiant attempt to lose 6 – 10 pounds during this two-week phase. In this phase, sweets and alcohol are not allowed.
The second phase, called “Live It!”, is designed to take the dieter the rest of the way to the weight goal at a slower, but still brisk, rate of 1 -2 pounds per week and then to maintain the goal weight forever. The guidelines are somewhat more relaxed in “Live It!”. Sweets and alcohol are allowed in this phase, to the tune of 75 calories a day. That's about two cookies a day, which is not too bad on a diet!
The Mayo Clinic Diet, like any diet, has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's first take a look at what's great about this diet.
Advantages of the Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to be the last diet you'll ever need to reach your weight goals. It is designed to be a life-long health makeover. Its advice on food and exercise is sound, and its focus on fruits, veggies, and unprocessed carbohydrates is a great plan for dieters as well as people looking for a healthy lifestyle. The book itself is a great resource, full of recipes and easy to understand diagrams and charts.
Disadvantages of the Mayo Clinic Diet
The main criticism that the Mayo Clinic Diet has received is the ambitious nature of its initial "Lose It!" phase. It may be very difficult for a dieter to cut their daily caloric intake down to 1200-1800 calories. Keep in mind that the average caloric intake of the average American is 3770 a day! For those of us without willpower of steel, it might be difficult to adhere to the strict diet when our tummies are grumbling by lunch-time. Additionally, the diet advertises losing 6-10 pounds within the first two weeks. Most nutritionists set plans for losing about 1.5-2 pounds a week at most. Losing 6-10 pounds may not be realistic and may discourage a lot of dieters who are unable to reach that goal within 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a nutritionally-sound diet plan for those looking to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. However, potential dieters should be cautioned to its optimistic and drastic plan. If you do take on the Mayo Clinic Diet, be sure to consult with your physician first and to stick with it. Keep your expectations realistic, and this diet may work for you!
