
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a 12-week program that aims to establish healthy habits for life by focusing on eating lots of fruits and vegetables, being physically active, and learning healthier routines. While the diet does not require calorie counting, it restricts calories based on an individual's starting weight and gender, with a daily range of 1,200–1,600 calories for women and 1,400–1,800 for men. The diet suggests the number of servings of vegetables, fruits, carbs, protein, dairy, and fats based on these calorie goals, with fruit and vegetable servings being unlimited. The program is divided into two parts: Lose It!, which focuses on adopting healthy habits and breaking unhealthy ones, and Live It!, which helps maintain these habits for the long term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calorie Counting | Not required, but restricts calories |
| Calorie Intake | 1,200–1,600 calories per day for women and 1,400–1,800 for men |
| Calorie Intake During Phase 1 | 500–1,000 fewer calories each day |
| Calorie-Free Beverage | Tea or water |
| Calories in Gluten-Free Foods | Naturally gluten-free foods are low in calories |
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What You'll Learn

Calorie intake is based on starting weight and gender
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a 12-week program that is designed to establish healthy habits for life using evidence-based behavioural science. The program consists of two phases: "Lose It!" and "Live It!". The first phase, "Lose It!", focuses on lifestyle habits that contribute to weight gain, specifically adopting healthy habits and breaking unhealthy ones. During this phase, calorie intake is restricted to 1,200–1,600 calories per day for women and 1,400–1,800 for men, with specific calorie ranges determined by starting weight and gender. This phase is designed to help dieters lose 6 to 10 pounds, or 1 to 2 pounds per week, by reducing their daily calorie intake by 500 to 1,000 calories. While dieters are not required to count calories, the diet suggests the number of servings of vegetables, fruits, carbs, protein, dairy, and fats they should consume based on their calorie goals. For example, a 1,400-calorie plan would include 4 or more servings of vegetables and fruits, 5 servings of carbs, 4 servings of protein or dairy, and 3 servings of fats.
The second phase, "Live It!", helps dieters continue and maintain their healthy habits. This phase does not require cutting out any foods but instead focuses on eating in moderation and making smart food choices. It provides a rough guide on serving sizes to help dieters meet their daily calorie goals and maintain their desired weight.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a balanced meal plan that focuses on healthy foods and regular exercise, cutting calories without banning certain foods. It encourages physical activity and learning healthier routines, making it a sustainable and flexible option for weight loss.
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No need to count calories, but target a level
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a sustainable meal plan that focuses on healthy foods and regular exercise. It does not require calorie counting but restricts calories based on your starting weight. The diet recommends a target calorie level and suggests servings of various food groups to meet that level. For example, a 1,400-calorie plan for women might include 4 or more servings of fruits and vegetables, 5 servings of carbs, 4 servings of protein or dairy, and 3 servings of fats.
The number of calories you need depends on your starting weight and gender. Women's calorie intake ranges from 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day, while men's ranges from 1,400 to 1,800. The diet's "Lose It!" phase aims for a reduction of 500 to 1,000 calories per day to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. During this phase, you focus on adopting healthy habits, breaking unhealthy ones, and increasing physical activity.
The "Live It!" phase helps maintain healthy habits and does not require cutting out any foods. Instead, it emphasizes eating in moderation and provides a guide on serving sizes to meet daily calorie goals. This phase is about making smart food choices, understanding portion sizes, and committing to healthy habits for life.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a balanced and flexible approach to weight loss, allowing unlimited fruit and vegetable servings and not restricting any food groups. It encourages physical activity and learning healthier routines, making it a doable and inexpensive option for many. The diet focuses on low-calorie-density foods, such as fruits and vegetables, allowing you to eat more while consuming fewer calories.
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Lose weight with fruits, vegetables, whole grains
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a balanced meal plan that focuses on healthy foods and regular exercise. It significantly cuts calories and restricts calories based on your starting weight. The diet recommends servings of various food groups, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which can aid in weight loss.
Fruits and vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber and water, which can help increase fullness and reduce hunger. Studies have shown that increasing vegetable consumption can lead to weight loss and a reduced risk of weight gain and obesity. For example, watermelon is a great fruit to eat when trying to lose weight as it is 90% water and provides a feeling of fullness. Similarly, guava is a delicious, nutrient-packed, and fiber-filled tropical fruit with less sugar than other fruits.
Whole grains can also assist with weight loss. The fiber in whole grains slows digestion, aiding in the feeling of fullness. Oats are a nutritious whole grain that can help with weight loss. They are a good source of fiber and can be added to any meal or snack.
By consistently substituting high-calorie foods with low-calorie fruits and vegetables, you can achieve a healthy weight. It is important to note that no single fruit or diet decision can make you lose weight. A combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise is essential for sustainable weight loss.
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Exercise alongside a nutritious diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a balanced meal plan that encourages exercise alongside a nutritious diet. The diet recommends consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are high in fiber and can aid in weight loss by reducing hunger and increasing satiety. In addition, the diet suggests including various food groups, such as carbohydrates, protein, dairy, and healthy fats, in specific servings based on individual calorie goals. For example, a 1,400-calorie plan would include at least four servings each of fruits and vegetables, five servings of carbohydrates, four servings of protein or dairy, and three servings of fats.
Exercise plays a crucial role in the Mayo Clinic Diet. Combining a lower-calorie diet with physical activity maximizes fat loss and minimizes muscle loss. Studies have shown that adding exercise to a calorie-controlled diet is more effective for promoting weight and fat loss than dieting alone. Resistance training, in particular, has been found to enhance weight loss results. The Mayo Clinic Diet provides support and tools to track progress and maximize outcomes.
Sleep and stress management are also important components of the Mayo Clinic Diet. Adequate, good-quality sleep helps regulate appetite and prevents disruptions that can lead to increased hunger and difficulty maintaining a calorie-controlled diet. Stress can contribute to weight gain by influencing food choices and increasing abdominal fat accumulation due to the release of cortisol. Therefore, addressing sleep and stress is essential for successful weight management.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to be a sustainable plan that can be followed for life. It focuses on replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthier ones to support weight loss. While it restricts calories, it does not require counting calories, making it more flexible and easier to follow. The diet is tailored to individual needs, with calorie recommendations based on starting weight, ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 calories for women and 1,400 to 1,800 calories for men.
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The Live It! phase focuses on maintaining healthy habits
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a 12-week program that is designed to establish healthy habits for life using evidence-based behavioural science. The program consists of two phases: "Lose It!" and "Live It!". While the "Lose It!" phase is designed to kickstart the weight loss process, the "Live It!" phase focuses on maintaining healthy habits.
The "Live It!" phase does not require you to cut any foods from your diet. Instead, it focuses on eating in moderation and making smart food choices. It provides a rough guide on serving sizes via the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid to help you meet your daily calorie goals. The diet recommends servings of various food groups based on a target calorie level, which is determined based on your starting weight and ranges from 1,200-1,600 calories per day for women and 1,400-1,800 for men.
During the "Live It!" phase, you will continue to adopt the healthy habits you learned during the "Lose It!" phase, such as adding a healthy breakfast, incorporating lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet, and getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. In addition, you will learn about portion sizes, meal prepping, and committing to healthy habits for life.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a balanced meal plan that focuses on healthy foods and regular exercise. It encourages physical activity alongside a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, all of which may aid weight loss. The diet is also inexpensive to follow and does not require counting calories or eliminating entire food groups.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mayo Clinic Diet does not require calorie counting, but it does restrict calories. Your calorie needs are determined based on your starting weight and gender, ranging from 1,200–1,600 calories per day for women and 1,400–1,800 for men.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a 12-week program divided into two parts: "Lose It!" and "Live It!". The first phase focuses on lifestyle habits that contribute to weight loss, while the second phase helps maintain healthy habits. The diet is based on healthy foods, regular exercise, and behaviour changes.
The diet recommends eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, being physically active, and learning healthier routines. It also suggests gradually reducing calorie intake to avoid sluggishness or hunger. The diet offers an app, meal plans, food tracking, and access to a private Facebook group for support.











































