scarsdale diet
THE SCARSDALE DIET originated out of the late Dr.Herman Tarnower's weight-loss plans which he prescribed to his patients back in the 1970's. These hand-written diet plans were passed on to other dieters and before you knew it the Scarsdale Diet was almost a household word amongst struggling dieters.
Since the Scarsdale Diet emmerged in the '70's it has NOT changed one bit. The Late Doctor Tarnower ( who was gunned down by jilted lover Jean Harris for refusing her co-credit for his book 'The Complete Scarsdale Diet') demanded strict adherence to a diet that prohibited alcohol, butter, oil and required followers to survive on about 700 calories daily.
The basic concept is still the same after decades - that is, a 2 week diet plan that dieters must follow to the letter. Hey ... no one said this would be FUN!
What's the theory?
LOW CARB-HIGH PROTEIN - THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. The initial 2 week diet regimen is built on a strict menu that all dieters MUST follow. For example, for the first 2 weeks breakfast consists of: grapefruit, toast and coffee, that's it. There is no substitution either. You are simply EATING TO LIVE .
Ahh, but there is science to the diet! The food choices are developed with precise combination of protiens, fats and carbohydrates in mind; the goal being to limit fat intake so the body will crave and burn fats already stored.
So, you begin the diet and eat what's on the 2 week menu. Period. Next you move on to the 'maintenace phase'.
It's still pretty restrictive, despite what the book claims. The maintenance phase, or as Tarnower calls it, the 'Keep Trim' phase allows NO: potatoes, pasta, dairy fat, bread, desserts, no fatty meats - sausage, bologna, salami and the list goes on and on. I guess if you don't like any of these foods you'll be 'just fine'.
When you strictly follow the diet meal plan, the numbers break down like this: 43 percent protein, 22.5 percent fat, and 34.5 percent carbs.
So this qualifies as a High protien - low carb diet by all definitions.
Is This Diet Healthy?
NOT REALLY - There are too many restrictions for most dieters to get adequate nutrients. For example, Calcium intake will be difficult since milk ( remember - NO DAIRY FAT) is not allowed. Also a typical day may only provide 600 - 800 calories total! This is basically a starvation diet plain and simple, probably good for temporary weight loss only.
Will this Diet Work Long Term?
PROBABLY NOT- Again, with all the restrictions, yielding to tempation will easily throw most dieters off course , causing them to give up and follow old unhealthy eating habits. How long can you eat ONLY grapefruit, toast and coffee for breakfast? This diet is really painful!
I guarantee that many a tormented dieter has run right out at the end of those two weeks ( if they made it that long) and buried themselves 'elbow deep' in a bucket of KFC out of sheer frustration!
Experts Opinion
Weight loss will occur within the first two weeks. It's inevitable, just do the math...most people burn at least 2000 - 2500 calories daily doing NOTHING. So combined with the very little caloric intake ( 600 daily) , 20 pounds in the first two weeks may be possible. (There's no clinical data to support this, but Tarnower provides anecdotal snippets from patients.)
THE SCARSDALE DIET is not inherently bad, it just fits a rather narrow group of dieters. Those dieters that are extremely disciplined and WILL NOT DEVIATE from a plan will do well with this diet. However, diet and nutition experts agree that in order for any diet to be successful long term, weight loss must occur slowly and not be SO restrictive regarding food intake.
If you are overweight, there are plenty of other low-carb, high protien diets that provide a sane approach to eating - allowing for much more variety, taste and satisfaction. The South Beach Diet is good alternative, it provides dieters many more food choices than The Scarsdale Diet and still achieves great weight loss results.