| |
The theory
The Scarsdale diet, like other low-carbohydrate high-protein diet plans, eliminates foods that are high in fibre and many nutrients in favour of quick weight loss.
The plan
The Scarsdale Diet is a seven-to-fourteen day plan that clearly outlines the types of foods to be consumed at three meals each day. Snacking is not allowed, and herbal appetite suppressants are encouraged with the diet. Meals consist of fruit, vegetables, and lean sources of protein in unlimited amounts.
Pros
With the scarsdale diet you don't have to count calories or fat grams, and there is no limit on portion sizes. Weight loss often occurs rapidly, and you won't be too hungry.
Cons
A strict meal plan must be followed exactly which is unacceptably low in carbohydrate and many vitamins and minerals. The scarsdale diet is a very rigid programme which plays to those with boderline eating disorder problems.
Herbal appetite suppressants are often encouraged as part of the diet and this can be dangerous for people with heart disease or high blood pressure or when used in large amounts or in conjunction with other stimulants such as caffeine.
|
|
Duration
The Scarsdale diet lasts Seven to fourteen days.
Checklist
- Restaurants: Possible if you know they have the exact foods you need for a specific meal.
- Alcohol: No.
- Caffeine: Limited quantities.
- Need to buy special foods: No.
- OK for vegetarians: No, the diet places an emphasis on animal protein.
|
What the pros say
At 1,000 calories per day the diet is way too low in calories - in the '70s it was common to take this approach, but it was never very successful and has been discredited. It is now more common to diet on about 1,800-2,000 calories daily (for women). Such a low calorie diet is not healthy nor sustainable. If you lose anything like the amount suggested it won't be fat weight, but water and carbohydrate stores and you will put it back on as quickly as you lost it (if not sooner).
|
|