The Mayo Clinic diet was ranked fifth by US News & World Report as the best overall diet for weight loss. The plan was recently updated and is now known as the Mayo Clinic New Diet. Find out what this plan is all about and if it’s right for you.
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization with a long history of weight loss research. From this research, the Mayo Clinic Diet was developed. So what does the diet entail? According to Dr. Donald Hensrud, MD, MPH author and medical director of Mayo Clinic DietThe Weight Loss Plan is “an evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps people manage their weight and improve their health in a practical and sustainable way.”
The diet has two phases: LoseIt! and live it! The Lose It! The phase is a 2-week fast-start period where members suddenly change 15 habits to lose weight fast. The expected weight loss during this phase is 6 to 10 pounds. During the LiveIt! phase, you’ll turn those habits into a long-term lifestyle program to continue losing weight at a rate of 1-2 pounds per week until you reach your goal. The initial program is 12 weeks. Beyond those 12 weeks, members can track their progress on the New Mayo Clinic Diet online platform and app, which includes tools like a food diary and log.
Some features members receive include:
The Whole Health Menu Program is developed and approved by the Mayo Clinic and provides the dieter with a selection of meal plans to follow, including Healthy Keto, High Protein, Vegetarian, Mediterranean and Gut Health.
At least 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended and bonus points for exercising 60 minutes or more per day.
All foods are allowed on the Mayo Clinic Diet. “People are encouraged to eat generous amounts of low-calorie, dense vegetables and fruits that also promote health,” explains Hensrud. “Serving sizes and total amounts are limited for other food groups and healthy options are recommended with each food group, such as whole grain carbohydrates (brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, etc.) and healthy fats for the heart (olive oil, nuts, avocados, etc.).” The consumption of sugar, high amounts of meat and whole milk is discouraged.
The amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates depends on the type of plan you follow. For example, if you follow the high-protein eating plan, healthy proteins and other food groups are evenly distributed at each meal of the day. If you follow the healthy keto plan, that’s a high-fat, low-carb diet that provides healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
The monthly plan is $49.99 and the price decreases based on the number of months you sign up. For example, a 3-month plan is $39.99 per month, while a 6-month plan is $29.99 per month.
Conclusion: We like that it’s rooted in science, but it may not be right for everyone.
The new Mayo Clinic diet is an improved plan that offers a lot of help to members; however, membership is expensive. Although much guidance is offered, it can be too overwhelming for some people.
*This article was written and/or reviewed by an independent registered dietitian nutritionist.
