What was this 1990's diet?
February 3, 2010 7:32 PM Subscribe
What was the name of this insane 1990's diet?
There was a diet in the 1990's that caused a co-worker of mine to be hospitalized (Google-fu is failing me). All I remember is that it was a 14 day crash diet that suggested one could lose 14 pounds in as many days. It came as a system (over the counter pills/suplements). It was very popular at the time. The only detail I recall is that it suggested working out twice a day, and a can of tuna with some vinegar (as a seasoning) was suggested as a meal. Any ideas?
There was a diet in the 1990's that caused a co-worker of mine to be hospitalized (Google-fu is failing me). All I remember is that it was a 14 day crash diet that suggested one could lose 14 pounds in as many days. It came as a system (over the counter pills/suplements). It was very popular at the time. The only detail I recall is that it suggested working out twice a day, and a can of tuna with some vinegar (as a seasoning) was suggested as a meal. Any ideas?
I worked with someone who was on some whacky diet plan in the very early 90s. It seemed to consist of lots of supplements & special pre-prepared food. I remember her eating their brand of tuna for lunch, and also instant powedered soups & even yoghurts that were dehyrated into powder & she would remix them with water. I remember being horrified by this hideous looking "food".
I'm not sure what the time frame was that she was supposed to be on this diet for. I do recall she had to seek medical attention for the severe constipation caused by this diet.
I can't think of the exact name of it, but it started with Nutri- or Nutra-.
posted by goshling at 9:07 PM on February 3, 2010
I'm not sure what the time frame was that she was supposed to be on this diet for. I do recall she had to seek medical attention for the severe constipation caused by this diet.
I can't think of the exact name of it, but it started with Nutri- or Nutra-.
posted by goshling at 9:07 PM on February 3, 2010
Nutrisystem? More recent, but maybe they were around in the 90s in some form...Medifast?
posted by xiaolongbao at 9:45 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by xiaolongbao at 9:45 PM on February 3, 2010
Definitely not Nutrisystem. They were more of a "learn to eat more realistically by buying our expensive food" thing. No pills or suppliments.
Could be Metabolife. Maybe Herbalife?
posted by Thorzdad at 4:01 AM on February 4, 2010
Could be Metabolife. Maybe Herbalife?
posted by Thorzdad at 4:01 AM on February 4, 2010
I did some kind of diet in the late 90s that involved taking two different supplements and following a very restrictive eating plan, one item of which was tuna with vinegar. I feel like one of the recommended breakfasts was one slice of toast with a tomato slice on it, maybe? I think the tuna only stands out in my head because a coworker of mine read the "meal plan" pamphlet and was aghast at the tuna-and-vinegar option.
I can't remember the name of it at all, but I am pretty bought the supplements from a co-op/health food store. I know it wasn't Metabolife, because I subjected myself to that one, too, and the pills/plan were different, plus Metabolife was sold via a ponzi scheme (I bought my pills from my parents' neighbors). I don't think it was Herbalife for the same reasons, although I never tried that diet.
That's horrible that your coworker ended up hospitalized for this! At the time, I knew it was a ridic crash diet, but I didn't think it was dangerous (I was deep in the midst of diet insanity, though). Luckily I was unable to sustain the insanely restrictive diet plan for more than two days, so I chucked it all before I ended up in the hospital.
posted by jennyb at 3:54 PM on February 4, 2010
I can't remember the name of it at all, but I am pretty bought the supplements from a co-op/health food store. I know it wasn't Metabolife, because I subjected myself to that one, too, and the pills/plan were different, plus Metabolife was sold via a ponzi scheme (I bought my pills from my parents' neighbors). I don't think it was Herbalife for the same reasons, although I never tried that diet.
That's horrible that your coworker ended up hospitalized for this! At the time, I knew it was a ridic crash diet, but I didn't think it was dangerous (I was deep in the midst of diet insanity, though). Luckily I was unable to sustain the insanely restrictive diet plan for more than two days, so I chucked it all before I ended up in the hospital.
posted by jennyb at 3:54 PM on February 4, 2010
Assuming I was on the diet the OP is after, it was not Fen-Phen, because that is prescription and this was OTC. It was not any kind of brand-specific food or Medifast or Nutrisystem either.
posted by jennyb at 3:57 PM on February 4, 2010
posted by jennyb at 3:57 PM on February 4, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone!
jennyb, the diet you described is most likely the one I'm trying to identify.
If it helps, I'm almost certain that it wasn't one a word name (like Metabolife), but something like, "14 Day Something Or Other!"
posted by marimeko at 5:03 PM on February 4, 2010
jennyb, the diet you described is most likely the one I'm trying to identify.
If it helps, I'm almost certain that it wasn't one a word name (like Metabolife), but something like, "14 Day Something Or Other!"
posted by marimeko at 5:03 PM on February 4, 2010
Response by poster: Also, yes, not Fen-Phen - this diet wasn't a perscription drug. It was something you could buy at a grocery/health food store.
posted by marimeko at 5:05 PM on February 4, 2010
posted by marimeko at 5:05 PM on February 4, 2010
FWIW I saw some dude in a minivan with an HERBALIFE decal on the side and I had to think twice about ramming him.
posted by carlh at 5:36 PM on February 4, 2010
posted by carlh at 5:36 PM on February 4, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by theantikitty at 7:38 PM on February 3, 2010