What Is The Scarsdale Diet?

Dr. Herman Turnower created the Scarsdale diet, named for the New York town of its birth, in the 1970s as a weight loss program for heart patients. It was intended to be used for quick weight loss, claiming an individual could lose up to twenty pounds in two weeks if they followed it to a tee. On this diet, individuals still consume three meals per day, but limit their caloric intake to just one thousand calories. The meals are made up of forty-three percent protein, 22.5 percent fat, and 34.5 percent carbohydrates and are accompanied by four cups of water each day. The diet, which is known for being a crash diet in nature, is intended to be followed for only seven to fourteen days. Many members of the medical community advise against extreme crash diets like this one. Learn about this diet now.

Signs Of A Crash Diet

There are obvious signs of a crash diet and they cite a variety of red flags most crash diets are characterized by, explaining they cause weight cycling, otherwise referred to as yo-yo dieting, and even negative health detriments. Crash diets, for example, are always characterized by an extreme restriction of calories, which can lead to weakness, fatigue, and the inability to concentrate. The rules are unsustainable, which is why these diets are only recommended to be used for short periods. Often, crash diets also put a restriction on foods known to be healthy and contain crucial macronutrients. Although most health organizations recommend a diet consisting of at least thirty percent fat, these diet plans restrict fat intake, work by putting the individual's body into a starved state in which it quickly consumes its own fat at a fast rate because of the low caloric intake.

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Basics Of The Scarsdale Diet

Similar to the Atkins diet, the Scarsdale diet also calls for low carbohydrates and fats in exchange for a high protein intake. They also emphasize fruits and vegetables. The Scarsdale diet, as stated, was made for heart patients, allowing them to lose harmful fat quickly. A major part of the diet, then, is focused on the consumption of proteins, such as lean meats and fish. In conjunction with a light exercise routine, it claims to help promote the building of lean muscle mass in addition to aiding weight loss. However, the Scarsdale diet specifically prohibits many healthy fats that help reduce inflammation and obesity. Complex carbohydrates, the good carbohydrates found in whole grains and some fruits and vegetables, are also eliminated from the Scarsdale diet, which does allow for the consumption of a protein-rich bread. Consuming water and green tea are also said to flush out toxins, kickstart fat mobilization, and reset the body.

Learn more about the foods individuals can eat on the Scarsdale diet now.