The 1960s were a cultural revolution, but some questionable fads also marked them. For instance, diets, from crash diets to bizarre food combinations, many of these trends would horrify nutritionists today. Here are 14 diet fads from the ’60s that are best left in the past.

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The Cabbage Soup Diet

The Cabbage Soup Diet was a fad in the 1960s, advocating for rapid weight loss through unlimited cabbage soup. While proponents praised its effectiveness, nutritionists today caution against such a restrictive and unbalanced approach. While cabbage is nutritious, relying solely on cabbage soup for sustenance lacks essential nutrients and can lead to deficiencies.

The Grapefruit Diet

Another ’60s diet fad, the Grapefruit Diet, claimed that grapefruit contained special fat-burning enzymes, leading to rapid weight loss when consumed with every meal. However, while grapefruit is indeed a healthy fruit, no scientific evidence supports its ability to burn fat. Moreover, relying solely on grapefruit for weight loss overlooks the importance of a balanced diet rich in diverse nutrients.

The Sleeping Beauty Diet

This extreme diet encouraged individuals to use sedatives to induce prolonged periods of sleep, effectively avoiding eating for days at a time. Not only is this approach hazardous and medically unsound, but it also disrupts normal bodily functions. It can lead to severe health consequences, including nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and metabolic disturbances.

The Tapeworm Diet

Perhaps the most shocking diet fad of the ’60s, the Tapeworm Diet involved intentionally ingesting tapeworm cysts in the hopes that the parasites would consume calories in the digestive tract, leading to weight loss. However, this practice is highly hazardous and can result in severe infections, intestinal blockages, and other life-threatening complications.

The Cigarette Diet

Promoted as a way to suppress appetite and control weight, the Cigarette Diet encouraged individuals to smoke cigarettes instead of eating. However, this approach is ineffective and incredibly harmful to health. Smoking is a leading cause of various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. Nutritionists emphasize the importance of quitting smoking and adopting healthy eating habits.

The Drinking Man’s Diet

Targeted primarily at men, this diet promoted high-protein meals and alcoholic beverages while severely restricting carbohydrates. However, this approach neglects the importance of a balanced diet. It can lead to nutrient deficiencies, dehydration, and other health issues. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver disease, heart problems, and addiction.

The Cookie Diet

Marketed as a convenient way to lose weight, the Cookie Diet involved replacing meals with specially formulated cookies purported to promote weight loss. However, relying on processed snacks as meal replacements is not a healthy way to manage weight. These cookies often lack essential nutrients and may lead to nutrient deficiencies over time.

The Grapefruit and Egg Diet

Combining grapefruit and eggs as the main components, this diet promises rapid weight loss with just two foods. While eggs are a nutritious food rich in protein and other essential nutrients, this diet lacks balance and may lead to nutrient imbalances over time. Nutritionists advocate for balanced meal plans and not these fly-by-night plans.

The Drinking Only Milk Diet

This extreme diet advocated for consuming only milk for a period of time to lose weight and purportedly cleanse the body. However, relying solely on milk for sustenance is not only nutritionally inadequate but also impractical and unsustainable. Additionally, many individuals are lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies, making this diet potentially harmful to those populations.

The Baby Food Diet

Popularized by celebrities, the Baby Food Diet replaced meals with baby food to control portion sizes and calorie intake. However, baby food is not formulated to meet the nutritional needs of adults and lacks the variety necessary for a balanced diet. Relying on processed, pureed foods as meal replacements is not an intelligent way to lose weight.

The Chewing Gum Diet

This fad diet promoted the idea that chewing gum can curb hunger and aid in weight loss by keeping the mouth busy. While chewing gum may provide temporary satisfaction and a distraction from cravings, it does not address the underlying causes of overeating or promote long-term weight loss. Nutritionists emphasize the importance of mindful eating and choosing nutrient-dense foods for a healthy diet.

The Prune Juice Diet

Advocating for consuming large quantities of prune juice as a natural laxative and detoxifier, this diet aims to promote weight loss and cleanse the body. However, relying solely on prune juice for sustenance is nutritionally inadequate and potentially harmful. Excessive intake of prune juice can lead to digestive issues, electrolyte imbalances, and other health problems.

The Pineapple Diet

This diet advocated consuming large quantities of pineapple in various forms to promote weight loss., claiming that pineapple contains enzymes that aid digestion and fat burning. However, while pineapple is a healthy fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, excessive consumption can lead to digestive issues and nutrient imbalances.

The Salt and Water Diet

Based on the misguided belief that consuming large amounts of salt and water would flush out toxins and promote weight loss, this fad diet is dangerous and ineffective. Excessive salt consumption can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and other health problems, while dehydration can damage bodily functions and lead to serious health consequences.