The Sacred Heart Diet is referred to by a number of names, including the Spokane Heart Diet, Cleveland Clinic Diet and Miami Heart Institute Diet. The diet is intended for use as a short-term dietary detox, not a long-term solution for good health. The diet's drastic methods have caused it to be disavowed by leading heart hospitals, including the Sacred Heart Hospital and American Heart Association, according to Every Diet.
Intended Use
The Sacred Heart Diet is intended for use as a fast weight-loss method for heart patients who can benefit from losing weight prior to surgery. Losing weight helps heart patients have less fat over their organs, making it easier for a surgeon to view the body. In addition, the diet is intended as a detox diet because it does not feature food choices commonly associated with being high in toxins, such as caffeine and processed foods.
The Soup
A major component of the Sacred Heart Diet is a vegetable-based soup you can eat in unlimited amounts. The soup is made from canned tomatoes, mushrooms, green beans, bell peppers, celery, beef stock and vegetable juice. The soup can be eaten throughout the 7-day diet. Because of its warmth and fiber-filled vegetables, it can serve as a filling alternative to other foods you traditionally eat in your diet.
Daily Meal Plan
The Sacred Heart Diet meal plan changes every day. On day 1, you can eat any fruit -- bananas are an exception -- and the soup. On day 2, you can eat vegetables, with the exception of dried beans, peas or corn. The vegetables can serve as a supplement to your soup. You also can eat a baked potato with butter for dinner. Day 3 involves eating unlimited amounts of soup, fruits and vegetables. On day 4, you can have bananas, skim milk and soup. Day 5's meal plan consists of up to 10 to 20 oz. of beef and canned tomatoes or up to six tomatoes, plus the soup. On day 6, you can have beef and vegetables, as much as two to three steaks plus vegetables. The final day, you can eat brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and vegetables.
Fluids
The Sacred Heart Diet recommends abstinance from high-calorie sodas and other sugary beverages. Instead, you can drink unsweetened juice, cranberry juice and water. Have coffee and tea, but only skim milk can be added.
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