The Chemical Diet, often called the Three-Day Diet, may help you lose a few pounds in the short run, but it is not a healthy way to lose weight. Although proponents tout its ability to help you lose 10 lbs. in three days, any weight loss will be due to the severe caloric restrictions of the diet, not because of any "chemical reaction" between the foods that comprise the diet. Although some proponents recommend going on the diet for three days, off for four days, and back on again, this type of yo-yo dieting should be avoided, since it can damage your heart.
Day 1
A typical Three Day Chemical Diet is listed on the Diet and Health website. The diet is supposed to be strictly followed with no variations--although other forms of the Chemical Diet do allow for some variety. Breakfast for the first day consists of: black coffee, water or tea; 1/2 grapefruit or pink grapefruit juice; one slice of toast with 1 or 2 tbs. of peanut butter. For lunch: black coffee, water or tea, 1/2 cup of water-packed tuna; one slice of dry toast. For dinner: black coffee, water or tea; 3 oz. lean meat; 1 cup beans; 1 cup beets; 1 cup vanilla ice cream; 1 small apple.
Day 2
The severe caloric restrictions of the Chemical Diet continue on the second day, along with some oddball diet foods, such as hot dogs and vanilla ice cream. For breakfast: black coffee, water or tea; 1 egg any style; 1 banana; 1 slice of dry toast. For lunch: black coffee, water or tea; 1 cup of cottage cheese; 5 saltine crackers. For dinner: black coffee, water or tea; 2 hot dogs; 1/2 cup carrots; 1 cup broccoli or cabbage; one banana; 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream.
Day 3
If you can stick it out for the final day, you can end the Chemical Diet with more ice cream. For breakfast: black coffee, water or tea; 5 saltine crackers; 1 egg or 1 slice cheddar cheese 4 oz. glass of apple juice. For lunch: black coffee, water or tea; 1 hard-boiled egg; 1 small apple; 1 slice of dry toast. For dinner: black coffee, water or tea. 1 cup tuna, chicken or turkey; 1 cup cauliflower or green beans; 1 cup beets; 1 cup cantaloupe or 1 small apple; 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream.
Dangers
Chemical Diets and Three Day Diets can be very harmful, especially if you use them too often. An article at CNN Health contained a blunt warning from cardiologist Isadore Rosenfield, professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. "A crash diet won't hurt your heart. But crash dieting repeatedly increases the risk of heart attacks."
If you want to lose weight, a better bet would be to follow the advice of the American Heart Association, which also cautions against quick weight loss and fat diets such as the Chemical Diet. The best way to lose weight, the AMA advises, is a "healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain and fat-free and low-fat dairy products, along with regular physical activity..."
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