The Scarsdale Diet is a low-calorie, low-carb, low-fat diet that is not appropriate for people with diabetes. Its average caloric intake is between 800 and 1,000 calories daily, which may not be enough for diabetics. Also, there are three meals but no snacks, which can make stabilizing glucose levels difficult. If you have diabetes, your diet is an important part of the management of your disease. Avoid fad diets in favor of a healthy eating plan.
Scarsdale Diet Basics
The Scarsdale Diet is divided into two parts; a rapid weight loss ketogenic diet high in protein but low in calories and carbs, and a higher calorie phase that allows you to add a greater variety of foods back into your diet. Supposedly, you can lose up to 15 lbs. in the first two weeks, and up to an additional 5 lbs. during the second two weeks, for a total of up to 20 lbs. of weight lost in a month. You repeat the month-long cycle as often as needed until you reach your goal weight.
Eating on the Scarsdale Diet
The rapid weight loss part of the diet has a very specific meal plan that allows for three meals only, and no snacks. Breakfast is limited to a cup of coffee or tea, half a grapefruit and a single piece of dry whole grain toast. Lunch and dinner are often vegetables and unlimited lean animal protein, such as all the shrimp you care to eat or limited amounts of higher-fat animal protein, such as two lean pork chops. On this plan, almost 45 percent of your calories come from protein, 35 percent from carbohydrates and just over 20 percent from fat.
Diabetic Dietary Guidelines
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Because of the strain protein digestion places on the kidneys, diabetics are often urged to avoid high-protein diets. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that diabetics get between 45 and 65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 25 to 35 percent from fat and 12 to 20 percent from protein. The Scarsdale diet has more than twice the amount of that recommended protein intake.
The Scarsdale Diet and Diabetes
Although maintaining a healthy body weight can improve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes and help decrease the risk for serious health complications, the Scarsdale Diet is not a good choice for diabetic weight loss. It is too low in calories and fiber, too high in protein and doesn't allow you to eat often enough to keep glucose levels steady. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a concern for diabetics following the Scarsdale Diet. It may also be lacking in essential nutrients.
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