Newsflash: there is simply no correlation between this age-old diet and the highly-respected medical clinic with the same name. The Mayo Clinic Diet is simply another name for the faddish Grapefruit Diet with about as much substance as a chain letter. High in fat, low in calories, there is not much matter to this quick-fix weight loss plan, other than the fact grapefruit does contain some health-enhancing properties, which improve heart health and lower cholesterol.

Breakfast: 1/2 grapefruit, 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon. Lunch: 1/2 grapefruit, salad with any type of dressing, as much red meat or other meat source as you'd like. Dinner: 1/2 a grapefruit, salad with any kind of dressing you'd like. Before bed drink an eight-ounce glass of skim milk or tomato juice.

The basic rules of thumb of this shady diet plan:

Eat the minimum amount of food listed. Don't eliminate any of the foods, especially the bacon or salads as it's the combination of foods that burns fat. The grapefruit is a must because it jumpstarts the fat-burning process. Steer clear from coffee which alters insulin balance. Do not eat between meals. Get rid of the habit of eating sugars and starches, but feel free to fry food in butter. Avoid all processed foods. Eat until you are full - the more you eat, the more you lose.

You will have a hard time finding any diet expert or nutrition professional who'll support this low-calorie, nutritionally-deficient plan. Especially anyone from the Mayo Clinic.