Crazy Diets Through the Decades

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Mar 12th 2009 3:00PM

What would you think if someone suggested you drink a concoction of lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't chug-a-lug that foul mix if somebody paid me. But Beyonce used the lemonade diet, and she's not the first -- the lemonade diet (aka Master Cleanse) has been around since 1941.

Just like clothes go in and out of style, so do crazy diets. "Glamour" shows us seven decades of wacky diet trends:

1930's-1940's. Not only is this the era where the Master Cleanse first appeared, ad campaigns also touted smoking as a way to keep off unwanted pounds.
1950's. The 1950's paved the way for a kinder, gentler form of weight loss. What was it? Prayer. That's right. Pray yourself thin. "Pray Your Weight Away" was published in 1957 and was the first of many prayer-based weight loss theories.
1960's. We have the 60's to thank for the horrible cabbage soup diet. A more helpful trend that was born in the 60's is the weight loss support group. (Overeaters Anonymous and Weight Watchers were both formed in the decade.)
1970's. The quest for weight loss in a pill started in earnest in the 70's. Dexatrim and the unfortunately named Ayds appetite suppressants were all the rage.
1980's. After the unsuccessful quick fixes of the 70's, self-discipline came back into vogue in the 80's. Plans such as the super-restrictive Scarsdale Diet were the diets of the decade. Low-fat was a term that was sneaking into everyone's vocabulary.
1990's. Low-carb plans like the Atkin's diet were all the rage in the 90's.
2000's. We're still not immune to silly diet trends. How about the Morning Banana Diet or the Cookie Diet (which has actually been around in one form or another for quite a long time)?

What's the craziest diet plan you've ever tried?

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Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Luke Pasqualino 3-13-2009 @ 6:08AM

I think she knows about good diet..And she take perfect diet

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Eddie 3-16-2009 @ 9:39AM

Well, the cookie diet http://www.thecookiediet.com actually worked wonders for me when I did it about 2 years ago. I lost over 50 pounds and have kept it off since.

Maggie Vink 3-16-2009 @ 9:41AM

Eddie,

Good for you! Meal replacement plans, such as the Cookie Diet, certainly can be effective for weight loss. Many people gain the weight back, however, because the plans don't really help you retrain your eating habits. But you've kept your weight off for two years -- congratulations!

backinskinnyjeans.com 3-16-2009 @ 12:29PM

I did the cookie diet as well. I went to http://www.thecookiediet.com. I chose to do their supervised program in the Jupiter, Fla. The Dr's and staff were so supportive. I lost 48 pounds in four months last year. I'm on their maintenance program and have stayed at my goal weight. Smart for Life, a great program.

Carmen 3-17-2009 @ 12:05PM

I was introduced to Smart for Life from a friend that had not seen for a couple of months and when I saw her I was amazed as how great she looked. She told me about the program and I was sold immediately. I went to http://www.thecookiediet.com. and got my cookies right away. For me it's convenient and easy, I am always on the go and always would stop and eat anything insight. Now I carry my cookies around with my bottle water and that's it. So far I have lost 15 pounds in almost 3 weeks and I feel energized and healthy. Thank You Smart for Life!!!

Chris 3-17-2009 @ 2:44PM

I did the Mayo Clinic diet. You eat bacon, eggs, and a grapefruit for breakfast. Vega tables and a grapefruit for lunch and regular supper (if I remember right). It worked. I lost 25Ibs. in 6 weeks. But of course, once I got sick of bacon and eggs, the weight came back.

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Carmen 3-23-2009 @ 10:02AM

If you do not want your weight back try Smart for Life cookie diet. You will learn how to eat 6 small meals a day and to make better food choices. It has been a long time since I lost all the weight and I feel healthy and energized. Do not waste more time go to SmartforLife.com

flourchild 3-23-2009 @ 12:30PM

IMy neighbor was on Smart for lLife and lost crazy weight, 80 pounds in 5 1/2 months. I figured if a mother of 4 can do this, so can I. I started by going to www.smartforlife.com; found a center close; and started immediately. That was 46 pounds ago and a year ago. I have not gained a pound back. Lots of support with a great maintenance program.