Scarsdale Diet

The Scarsdale Diet is an eating plan created by Dr. Tarnower from the advice he gave his patients for years about how to maintain health and lose weight.  The diet claims rapid weight loss while still eating flavorful foods.  It is a high protein, low fat and low carb plan that is followed for two weeks.

Diet Guidelines:  The diet uses a daily calorie breakdown that goes like this: 43% protein, 34.5% carbohydrates and 22.5% fats.  In some ways it is similar to the Atkins plan with the higher concentration of proteins.  This type of diet changes the way that the body burns fat.  

The body gives off a substance called ketones as it burns fat.  The ketones eliminated from the body in the urine.  Ketones help to stop those cravings and feelings of hunger throughout the day.   If you stick to the Scarsdale diet plan as it is written you will see results.  

How long do I follow this diet?
The Scarsdale diet is used for rapid weight loss.  Because of the restrictive nature of the program you are only supposed to follow the diet plan for fourteen days.  After that, you go into a maintenance plan.

What can I eat?
The diet is limited in what you eat for the first two weeks which is the main portion of the plan.  You can eat fruit for breakfast, black coffee or tea, and special protein bread.  You can eat lean poultry, fresh vegetables, and lean beef for lunch and/or dinner. The Scarsdale diet has variations for dieters who are vegetarian and an international plan for European followers.

Foods to avoid include alcohol, fatty foods, sweet snacks and milk during the first two weeks.  Between meals, your snack food choices are celery and carrots.  In the maintenance phase, you can drink milk and alcohol again in small amounts.

What are the benefits?
You will decrease your caloric intake, which, combined with exercise causes weight loss.  Even if you don’t cook a lot, you can still make this diet work for you.  a maintenance plan helps you to keep your weight under control after the fourteen day plan is over.   

How much weight can I lose?
The Scarsdale program is designed for rapid weight loss.  The Scarsdale diet plan says that you can lose up to 20 pounds in two weeks.

Does the plan stress exercise of any kind?
Exercise is not a main focus of the Scarsdale diet but the plan does say to get enough daily exercise to burn at least 300 calories for your health.

What does the diet plan cost?
Your costs may extend to the cost of the book with diet plan and special foods.

Scarsdale Diet Pros:  You avoid eating fatty foods use spices and herbs to flavor foods instead of salt and added fats.  

Scarsdale Diet Cons:  The food list is quite restrictive.  You must follow it to the letter to be guaranteed results.