The Sacred Heart diet, or the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital diet, is a short-term soup diet, but it's not backed by any hospital, says the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition." The Sacred Heart diet lasts for seven days and features a low calorie soup that dieters eat every day, along with some additional foods for specific days. You may lose weight, but see your doctor before going on the Sacred Heart diet, because you may not get all the nutrients your body needs.
History
Passed around in person and online, there is no clue to the true origin of the Sacred Heart diet, although the website, "Ask the Dietitian," mentions it under "Fad Diets." The "Gale Encyclopedia" links the Sacred Heart diet to other soup diets that masquerade under a variety of names, including, the Cleveland diet, the Miami Heart Institute diet and the Spokane diet. In addition, the Sacred Heart diet is similar to the Cabbage Soup diet, with a few alterations.
Claims
The Sacred Heart diet lures dieters with reports of extreme weight loss, as much as 17 lbs. in one week, according to EveryDiet. Losing this much weight is unlikely, but if possible, it may be mostly water weight, which may return when you resume normal eating. Extreme weight loss is unhealthy and is probably unsustainable.
The Soup Ingredients
The main menu item on the Sacred Heart diet is a soup made by combining 2 cans of stewed tomatoes, 3 chopped green onions, 1 can of beef broth, 1 envelope of dry chicken soup mix, 1 bunch of chopped celery, 2 cans of cut green beans, 2 lbs. of sliced carrots and 2 chopped green peppers. Put all ingredients in a large pot and add water, just to cover the vegetables. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and store in the refrigerator. You may double or triple the recipe.
The Plan
On the first day, you may eat all the soup you want and eat any fruit except bananas. Every day, you must drink at least six glasses of water. On Day Two, you again eat the soup, but on this day, you may also eat additional vegetables, except for corn and legumes. You eat a baked potato with butter for dinner.
You may eat fruits and vegetables, except potatoes, on Day Three, along with the soup. On Day Four, only bananas and skim milk may be eaten, along with as much soup as desired. Day Five of the Sacred Heart diet includes eating tomatoes and at least 10 oz. of lean beef, but no more than 20 oz.
Day Six on the Sacred Heart diet includes eating unlimited beef and vegetables, except potatoes. You are still eating the soup. On Day Seven, you may eat vegetables and brown rice in addition to the soup. You may also drink unsweetened fruit juice.
Criticism
The Sacred Heart diet does not provide adequate nutrition, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia," and you should not repeat the diet after the diet ends. There are no clinical studies that confirm the high amount of weight loss reported, but this diet severely limits food choices and is not supported by MyPyramid, the USDA's official nutrition guideline program for Americans.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition"; Jacqueline L. Longe, 2008
- Every Diet: Sacred Heart Diet
- Ask the Dietitian: Fad Diets
- USDA: MyPyramid.gov: Dietary Guidelines
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