Choosing a safe and effective diet plan is a critical first step in the process of losing weight. To accomplish this, MayoClinic.com suggests working with your doctor to set weight loss goals and evaluate diet plan options. Avoid fad diets that may be unhealthy and do not result in sustainable weight loss. One such diet plan is the Sacred Heart Vegetable Soup diet, with its limited food choices and short time frame.
History
The Sacred Heart Vegetable Soup diet, also known as the Spokane Heart diet, the Cleveland Clinic diet, the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital diet and the Miami Heart Institute diet, has no traceable point of origin. A popular myth surrounding its beginnings, says Diet.com, is as a quick weight loss, presurgery diet for obese patients.
Time Frame
Most information specifies following the diet for a period of seven days, but DietChoices.com notes the option to stop after three days. Whichever period you choose, you must adhere to a strict and limited menu, with the exception of unlimited quantities of soup. You resume a normal diet when the time is up and, if you choose, repeat the process the following month.
Foundation
The foundation of this diet plan is a vegetable soup you eat every day, although according to Diet.com, a variety of recipes list variations in the actual ingredients. In general, however, ingredients include stewed tomatoes, green onions, beef broth, a commercial chicken noodle soup mix, celery, green beans, carrots and green peppers. Allowed seasonings include salt, pepper, curry, parsley and Worcestershire sauce.
Features
Each day features, in addition to vegetable soup, a different meal plan. The exact menu depends on which version you are following, but food choices for the week generally include:
Day 1: Fruit, except for bananas, and soup
Day 2: Fresh, raw, cooked or canned vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, a baked potato with butter and soup
Day 3: Unlimited fruits, vegetables and soup
Day 4: Skim milk, three bananas and soup
Day 5: 10 to 20 oz. of beef, six fresh tomatoes or one can of tomatoes and soup
Day 6: Unlimited beef and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables, and soup
Day 7: Unlimited vegetables, brown rice and unsweetened fruit juice, and soup
Tea, coffee, cranberry juice and water are allowable drinks.
Effects
Strict adherence to the diet may result in a weight loss of 5 to 7 lbs. by the third day and an overall loss of 10 to 17 lbs., according to Diet.com. Though this diet has no exercise requirements, DietChoices.com notes that even if there were, you would have a difficult time with physical activity due to the fatigue that results from such a restricted diet.
Warning
Talk to your doctor before making a decision to follow the Sacred Heart Vegetable Soup diet, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or are nursing a baby. The American Heart Association and Sacred Heart medical centers claim no association with this diet and, according to EveryDiet.org, discourage its use.
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