Cardiologist and family doctor, Herman Tarnower, created the Scarsdale Medical Diet plan that involves eating a very restrictive, low-calorie diet for a 14-day period. The diet focuses on eating foods such as grapefruit, lean beef, chicken breasts and eggs. By following this diet, Tarnower claims you can lose a significant amount of weight quickly.
Sample Meal Plans
The Scarsdale Diet is based on three meal plans. You can choose a different meal plan each day or eat according to the same plan for all 14 days. For example, one option is having a breakfast of coffee or tea with half of a grapefruit; a lunchtime meal of lean beef, chicken or fish and a tomato salad served with coffee or tea; and dinner consisting of broiled fish plus a tomato and lettuce salad along with half of a grapefruit. Another day's menu option is eating a breakfast of half a grapefruit plus coffee or tea; a lunch of tuna salad and half a grapefruit; and a dinner of two lean pork chops, a mixed green salad and coffee.
Snacks
One of the noticeable aspects of the Scarsdale Diet is the lack of snacks. Tarnower does not allow for snacks to be incorporated into the diet. Instead, you may consume water, tea or diet soda between meals to curb hunger and ensure adequate fluid intake.
Criticisms
One of the chief criticisms of the Scarsdale Medical Diet is that it is very low in calories -- between 700 and 1000 on a daily basis. This is problematic because such an amount of calories is not enough to sustain the daily activities of a healthy woman who is moderately active. As a result, you may experience symptoms including fatigue, constipation, diarrhea and irritability. Also, much of the weight you lose during the two-week diet is water weight, because your body is using its glycogen stores and taking protein from your muscles, releasing water as a result.
Blood-sugar Levels
The lack of snacks in the Scarsdale Diet is also cause for concern. Eating at regular intervals throughout the day can help you maintain steady blood-sugar levels. Your blood sugar is what gives you energy. When you do not have enough food in your diet, and your body burns through the meal you have eaten, your blood sugar drops. Snacks between meals can help you maintain normal blood-sugar levels and reduce symptoms such as fatigue and confusion that can occur when your levels drop.
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