16 Forgotten ’80s Diet Trends That Faded Away
Here's a nostalgic flashback to the quirky diet crazes of the 1980s that nutrition science eventually left behind.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The 1980s were a time of bold diet trends. The decade was packed with quick fixes that promised slim waists but rarely delivered. While some were just bizarre, others were downright unhealthy — and all have mostly vanished from the modern wellness world.
1. The Cabbage Soup Diet
Laura Taylor on Flickr
This ultra-low calorie plan had people eating endless bowls of cabbage soup for seven days. It promised rapid weight loss, but mostly delivered gas and boredom.
2. The Grapefruit Diet
Łukasz Rawa on Unsplash
Also known as the “Hollywood Diet,” it claimed that grapefruit burned fat when eaten with protein. People swore by its metabolism-boosting magic. Science, however, didn’t back the claim.
3. SlimFast Meal Replacement Shakes
Judy Baxter on Flickr
A can of SlimFast for breakfast and lunch, then a “sensible dinner” — that was the promise. While convenient, it lacked variety and often left users hungry. People grew tired of the artificial taste and the limited nutritional value.
4. The Scarsdale Diet
Sam Moghadam on Unsplash
A strict, high-protein, low-carb plan that discouraged snacks and imposed a 14-day regimen. It was rigid, repetitive, and often criticized for being unsafe long-term.
5. Deal-A-Meal by Richard Simmons
Matt Seymour on Unsplash
Simmons created a colorful card-based system to teach portion control. While fun and visual, it lacked flexibility and wasn’t based on modern nutrition science. It worked for some, but felt too much like a game.
6. The Beverly Hills Diet
Louis Hansel on Unsplash
This fruit-heavy plan promoted eating only one food group per day. It claimed better digestion and rapid weight loss. In reality, it offered little protein and lacked balance.
7. Tab Diet Soda Craze
side guacamole on Flickr
Tab became the go-to drink for calorie-conscious folks trying to stay slim. It was loaded with artificial sweeteners and a metallic aftertaste. Concerns over health risks led to its downfall.
8. The Liquid Protein Diet
Nature Zen on Unsplash
Touted as a fast fat-burner, this plan had people drinking protein-only shakes. Lacking essential vitamins and calories, it led to hospitalizations and even deaths. The FDA issued warnings, and it quickly vanished.
9. The Pritikin Diet
Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels
Focused on extremely low-fat, high-fiber meals, it became a go-to for heart health. While grounded in some science, the zero-fat rule was eventually debunked.
10. Ayds Appetite Suppressant Candies
A.Currell on Flickr
Yes, they were actually called “Ayds” — and they were a big hit before the AIDS epidemic. These caramels contained appetite suppressants and promised easy weight loss. The name alone doomed the brand in the mid-80s
11. Calorie Counting with Printed Charts
Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash
Before apps, dieters used booklets and wall charts to track every calorie. It was tedious, manual, and often inaccurate. People eventually burned out from the paperwork.
12. The Cambridge Diet
Leah Rolando on Pexels
A low-calorie, meal-replacement program that offered pre-packaged shakes and soups. It severely restricted calories to under 500 a day. While weight loss was fast, so were the risks.
13. The Rice Diet
Vinn Koonyosying on Unsplash
Originally developed for treating hypertension, it became a weight-loss plan centered on white rice, fruits, and vegetables. It was bland, repetitive, and dangerously low in calories.
14. Dexatrim Pills
Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash
Marketed as a safe appetite suppressant, these over-the-counter pills contained stimulants like phenylpropanolamine. Side effects included increased heart rate and nervousness.
15. Fiber Supplements as Main Meals
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People would take spoonfuls of powdered fiber to feel full and skip meals. It was rough on the digestive system and offered little satisfaction. The idea was to trick your stomach — not a smart strategy.
16. The Rotation Diet
Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash
This plan cycled calorie intake over three weeks to prevent metabolism slowdowns. While it sounded smart, the constant tracking wore people down. It was too complicated for everyday use.