Dear Sue:

I'm on a high-protein diet. I've lost 15 pounds in four weeks, but my family is concerned that this "New Mayo Clinic Diet" is not healthy. I plan to stay on it until I lose another 15 pounds and then stay on a healthy diet. What do you think? Thanks,

Katherine

Dear Katherine:

First, to clear up confusion, the Mayo Clinic Diet was not started by the Mayo Clinic, and they do not endorse it -- just the opposite. Some versions of the diet, such as the one you are following, promote a high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating regimen. The danger in that plan is the potential for ketosis, the result of incomplete breakdown of protein and fat in the absence of enough carbohydrates.

That can be dangerous to your health and negatively affect your mental state. Although you plan to only follow for a short time, the results may not be worth the effort. It is safe to say that almost all "fad" diets don't end in long-term weight loss. The only proven method of losing weight and keeping it off is changing habits gradually and exercising. You would best spend your time and energy over the next few weeks by beginning to think long-term and trying to form healthy habits that'll last a lifetime. A quick weight loss can be a psychological boost in the short term but can backfire in the long term.
Why not define other, short-term goals in which you can find reward, such as losing one pound this week and increasing the duration of your exercise by 10 minutes? I suggest you focus your energy where there's guaranteed success.

Good luck,

Sue Gilbert, M.S., nutritionist

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