This version of the so-called Cleveland Clinic Diet has been circulating for years. Is it right for you? Here I break down the diet so you can decide.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. In need of losing some weight, I resorted to an old copy of the Cleveland Clinic Diet. Now it is not really a diet from the Cleveland Clinic. It is one of those things that got circulated from person-to-person years ago and I still had a copy.
Day One Dinner
I decided to look it up on the internet and, naturally, there is some criticism. Aren’t most diets scrutinized? Some say it is bad because of the calorie restrictions. (Isn’t carrying around excess weight bad, too?)
Since dieting is easier with a buddy, I recruited my (adult) daughter to do it with me. I guestimate that it cost around $55 for two people for three days. The plan is as follows:
Day One
Breakfast: ½ grapefruit, 1 slice dry toast, and 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
Lunch: ½ cup dry tuna, 1 slice dry toast, coffee or tea
Dinner: 2 slices any type of meat (3 oz.), 1 cup green beans, 1 cup red beets, 1 small apple, ½ cup vanilla ice cream
Day Two
Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 slice dry toast, ½ banana
Lunch: 1 cup cottage cheese, 5 saltine crackers
Dinner: 2 hot dogs (meat only), 1 cup broccoli, ½ cup carrots, ½ cup vanilla ice cream, 1 banana
Day Three
Breakfast: 5 saltine crackers, 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 small apple
Lunch: 1 boiled egg, 1 slice dry toast
Dinner: 1 cup dry tuna, 1 cup red beets, 1 cup cauliflower, 1 cup cantaloupe, ½ cup vanilla ice cream
My copy goes on to say:
Diet works on chemical breakdown and is proven. Do not vary or substitute any of the above foods; salt and pepper may be used but no other seasonings. This diet is to be used 3 days at a time.
In three days you will lose 10 lbs. After 3 days of dieting, you can eat your normal foods, do not overdo it. After your 4 days of normal eating, start back on your 3-day diet. You can lose up to 40 lbs. in a month if you stick to this diet. It is a safe diet.
DO NOT PICK IN BETWEEN MEALS
On day one I was H.U.N.G.R.Y! I lost between 1-2 pounds.
I admit that I did not quite stick to it on day two. I ate my banana and ice cream early. I was H.U.N.G.R.Y!
Day three: I think I made it through breakfast, but that was it.
The So-Called Cleveland Clinic Analyzed
I thought I would do a little analysis using MyFitnessPal.com to see how this diet really measured up – or down. Here is how the different day’s meal plan breaks down:
So for day one, the calorie count is low. Most diets recommend a minimum of 1200 calories/day. The sodium content is too high.
Day two is still too low on the calorie count.
Once again, not enough calories
Overall I lost about 3.5 pounds following this version of the Cleveland Clinic Diet. Not too bad for starving for 2 days. Would I do it again? I think I would do one day just to mess with my metabolism.
My daughter was not a fan of the diet.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this to anyone. I think that perhaps one of the best diets that one can do is the No S Diet. Basically, it is no sweets, no snacks, and no seconds except on days that start with “S” or special occasions. How easy does that sound?
Michael says
I tried this as well over 20 years ago and I did lose the weight but it all came back easily in a week lol. I have struggled over the years with different fads and diets but here recently about 6 months ago I stumble over a diet in found in Honduras. Its called the Honduras raw chicken food poison diet lol… Yep in a week and a half I lost 15 pounds and was scarred to eat anything for another week or two after that. It gave me the jump start I needed and since then lost another 25 pounds all within 6 months. Best part is I not starving or rarely even hungry. I eat either a fiber cereal or a couple eggs.. Throw in a banana or blue berries in the cereal or eat separately. Lunch time either a salad or I always buy a box of blue berries or black berries in my refrig for a nice filling lunch. If I’m on the road I just stop by a grocery store and buy a box of them and eat them on the run. Dinner time if I didn’t have a salad for lunch I usually have one for my dinner. It would be huge too lol.. Lettuce, scallions, bell peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, few croutons, and Mexican mix cheese sparingly. Some times a can of tuna on top. change it up so its not boring. Low calorie dressing. Or I do a fish or chicken meal. Never any snacks unless it is alive lol… Fruit…. I have 20 more pounds to go until I’m at my ideal weight once again… This is not a diet but a life style. Do some walking if possible. Just keep moving daily somehow.. I feel better that I have in years, more energy, thinking is more organized, and my attitude is always positive… Oh yea, I’m 67 and getting married in about a two months to a beautiful lady that is 20 years younger. Anyone can do what I have done once you convince that grey matter that’s between your ears that you want to change your life. It’s not what diet you do but how you want to live. The diet will just happen then. Good luck folks.
Lynda says
Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry you got food poisoning, but at least something positive did result. Yes, losing weight really is best from a true lifestyle change and it does begin in the mind.
Dana says
My old typewriter copy was called the Mayo diet. It was just like this except no beets or cauliflower from what I can remember. It’s possible I hated those vegetables so I blanked them out. Lol. It’s also been called the Military diet. I only completed it one time and I did lose 7 pounds. I then continue with a low calorie diet. It’s a great jump start to get you motivated.
Kim says
I’ve gone on this many times to jump start. Lost a lot of weight with Weight Watchers, but recently gained some back. Using this to get me going again. Interestingly enough though, if you plug in these foods for WW points, it is actually WAY over in point values for the day.
Judy says
I went on this diet back in the 90’s. I stuck with it and dropped 40 pounds. I managed to keep them off until 3 years ago. I think I am going back on it. I hate cottage cheese and black coffee. Might do the ice cream thing and save it to put in my coffee in the morning.
ST says
if I understand correctly, this diet was originally designed for severely obese people who needed to lose weight quickly so that they could have surgery. Under those circumstances the doctors would monitor them and it would help them to get to a weight that would allow the doctors could perform surgery safely.
John says
I did this diet awhile back and it worked. I lost 11 lbs. A tip for those who cant drink blk coffee. Let the ice cream melt in the fridge and use it for ur coffee.
Lynda says
What a great tip! Thank you for sharing.
JD says
So funny, I had the same typewritten copy back in the early 90s – only my version was called the OHSU Diet! Same instructions and everything. I used to do it in my 20s just for a little kick start but never lost more than 3 lbs at a time. I googled it and found your post because I wanted to find the menu to look it up on MFP – and was excited to see you already did the hard work :). I didn’t realize the calories were so low!
Lynda says
That is an interesting part of the diet, isn’t it?
Phyllis Grever says
I am on this diet and can tolerate all of the foods. I lost 7 lbs the first week. It is Monday again and I am on my second session. Weight loss goal is only 15 lbs to get me back on track. I am 86 years old and I’m hoping to lose that “belly fat”. It is the second week of Lent and that will surely help me since I am giving up all desserts except vanilla ice cream. .
Lynda says
Thanks for stopping by. I hope that you reach your goal (and enjoy the ice cream). 🙂
Dana says
I was hoping by the age of 86, I wouldn’t care anymore. 😆 What an inspiration. Good luck!
Carol says
I did this and lost about 6 pounds. I hate cottage cheese and cauliflower, other than that it was easy. I did find picked beets and ate those instead of regular beets, and now I love picked beets…the day I had to have the cottage cheese I would put it on the cracker and then slug it down with water. But I really think exercise is the key to a good diet. Exercise and portions controls and then you can still have a dessert.
Lynda says
I agree. Exercise and portion control help tremendously. (Thanks for stopping by.)
Candice says
I did this diet in 2001 the week before my prom…IT WORKED! I was very hungry though…and I ate lunch in the bathroom stall b/c I was too embarrassed to eat those crazy combinations in front of people! Lol….oh, the things we do when we’re young…
Lynda says
That’s so funny!
Lolo says
That does seem really low in calories.
Leilani says
I’ve never heard of the Cleveland Clinic diet before.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
This one is a new one for me!
Colleen says
I remember this diet from 15 years ago. I called it the ice cream diet.
Lynda says
Quite appropriate to call it that. That was my favorite part of the diet. 🙂
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Beets are so gross, I couldn’t do it!
John says
I can’t stand beets alone either,but like them in a salad..
Lynda says
They do seem to be a food that one has to get accustomed to.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
Hey you gave it a shot and lost some weight which is a win – not sure I could do any diet that promotes hot dogs…
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
I have never heard of this diet, but I like most, I don’t think I could do this diet.
nicole @nicky_olea says
I think any “diet” is not good in the long term. Changing of lifestyle and habits and exercise is what works in the long term.
Shell Feis says
Yeah, that definitely doesn’t sound good. The No S Diet sounds promising though!
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
Ooh, starvation diets are scary and, truthfully, that looks like a nasty meal 😛 Enjoy the food and just lose a little at a time after you come back 🙂
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. That diet looks tough but The No S diet sounds interesting.
patti says
I’m willing to try most any diet—-just can’t stick to one for very long.
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
Yuck! I wouldn’t eat anything on the plate… course that could make one lose weight 😛
Tammy says
This would probably be a really good diet for me – since I’m tiny (only 4’9″ and for my height a healthy weight can be under 100 lbs), my calorie count isn’t the average 1200 calories a day, mine is more like 900 to lose weight at a healthy rate. Thanks for posting!
Jennifer says
I’ve never done this diet. I don’t think I would last
Maryann says
I have done this one before
Liz says
There is no way I could do that diet. I can’t be restricted or limited to certain things or I will rebel and be worse off in the end!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I don’t think I could do that diet either. I hate beets.
Lynda says
So does my daughter. It was quite comical watching her eat them. You would have thought she was eating some type of exotic bug. 🙂
Katy says
I remember this blast from the past :). Starving for a couple of days, I’m sure, was worth the Disney food.
Beulah says
Now that we can’t it viennas, what’s should we eat in that place.
Lynda says
I would look at some other type of meat that has about the same amount of calories.