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American Diets: the Great, the Gross and the Ghastly

An ongoing project to list every diet in the US from the dumb to the dangerous to the very, very good. As usual, this is presented for your education and should not be used as a basis for your treatment.

AYDS Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Appetite Suppressant Candy

1970s-1980s

Medication

Diet Type

Era

The Cookie Diet

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Inflammation cause obesity and obesity causes inflammation

Now

Anti-Inflammatory

Diet Type

Era

Many

Atkins Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Low carbohydrate intake|ketosis

1970s-present

Low-carb

Diet Type

Era

The South Beach Diet|The Dukan Diet

Aversion Therapy Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Punishment for poor habits

1970s-Present

Noxious stimulus

Diet Type

Era

Schick Schadel

Balance of Nature

Theory

Similar Diets

Freeze-dried encapsulated fruits and vegetables are better than fresh.

2010s-PRESENT

Unclear. Misleading claims.

Diet Type

Era

Unknown

Cabbage Soup Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

High fiber, low calorie

1990s-Present

Single food

Diet Type

Era

Grapefruit Diet

Clean Eating

Theory

Similar Diets

Focus on natural|whole foods|avoiding processed foods

2010s-present

Clean eating

Diet Type

Era

Whole30

Cleansing Diets

Theory

Similar Diets

Silly notion that we can 'flush' 'toxins' out of the body by drinking huge amounts of weird juice

1980s-PRESENT

DANGEROUS

Diet Type

Era

Detox diets

Cosmonaut Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Cosmonauts Eat Right

1980s-2010s

Monotonous

Diet Type

Era

Unknown

Dash Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Eating to lower blood pressure|focus on fruits|vegetables|whole grains|lean protein

2000s-present

Low-sodium|balanced

Diet Type

Era

The Mediterranean Diet

Detox Diets

Theory

Similar Diets

Silly notion that we can 'flush' 'toxins' out of the body by drinking huge amounts of weird juice

1960-PRESENT

DANGEROUS

Diet Type

Era

'Purge' diets. 'Cleansing' diets

Dr. Andrew Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Inflammation plays a major role in weight and we can lose weight and imporove health but eating a low-inflammatory diet designed by Dr. Weil.

2000s-PRESENT

Anti-Inflammatory

Diet Type

Era

Mediterranean diet

Dr. Holland's 20-20 Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Low calorie density, anti-inflammatory

2010s-2020s

Low fat, high fiber

Diet Type

Era

Ornish Diet

Dr. Phil's 20-20 Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Low carb

2020s

Low carb

Diet Type

Era

Unk

GOLO

Theory

Similar Diets

Insulin 'management'

2010-through PRESENT

Low glycemic

Diet Type

Era

Low carbohydrate

HMR Program

Theory

Similar Diets

Meal replacements|support and coaching

2000s-present

Meal replacement

Diet Type

Era

SlimFast

Herbalife

Theory

Similar Diets

Meal replacement

1990s-Present

Meal replacement

Diet Type

Era

Optifast

High-FODMAP Food List

Theory

Similar Diets

Just a list of high-FODMAP foods.

2000s-PRESENT

Low-FODMAP

Diet Type

Era

Entymophagy: Eating Bugs

Theory

Similar Diets

Insects offer high protein, low carbohydrate crunchy bite sized chunks.

Ancient times-Present

Trans-species diet

Diet Type

Era

The Chimpanzee Diet

Intermittent Fasting

Theory

Similar Diets

Periods of eating and fasting|calorie restriction

2010s-present

Various

Diet Type

Era

The 5:2 Diet|The Warrior Diet

Jenny Craig

Theory

Similar Diets

Personal coaching|portion control|balanced nutrition

1980s-present

Prepackaged meals

Diet Type

Era

Weight Watchers|Nutrisystem

Keto Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Very low carbohydrate intake|ketosis|high fat intake

2010s-present

High-fat|low-carb

Diet Type

Era

Atkins Diet

Low Glycemic Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Glycemic index affects weight

1980s-present

Low glycemic

Diet Type

Era

Volumetrics

Low Histamine Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Removal of histamine and histamine-releasing foods to promote health and weight loss.

1990s-PRESENT

Low histamine diet

Diet Type

Era

Unknown

Melba Toast Diet

Theory

Similar Diets

Starvation

Unknown

Dangerous

Diet Type

Era

Pica Diet

My Fitness Pal

Theory

Similar Diets

Weight loss can be greatly enhanced through access to nutrient data and tracking of nutrient intake.

2010-Present

Mindful eating

Diet Type

Era

Unknown

Nutrisystem

Theory

Similar Diets

Portion control|balanced nutrition|frequent meals

1990s-present

Prepackaged meals

Diet Type

Era

Weight Watchers|Jenny Craig

Optifast

Theory

Similar Diets

Very low calorie, meal replacement diet

1980s - Present

Liquid meal replacement

Diet Type

Era

MediFast

Ornish Diet