Scarsdale medical diet

A weight-loss diet devised by Dr Herman Tarnower in 1979. The dietary regime has two stages which alternate fortnightly. The first stage consists of the medical diet, a strictly prescribed high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat diet. Protein constitutes about 43 per cent of the diet but fats are restricted to about 25 per cent. Sugar, pasta, potatoes, and all bread (except a high protein variety) are excluded and between-meal snacks are restricted to carrots and celery. Tea or coffee can be taken freely, but alcohol is not allowed. The second stage consists of a keep-trim programme. This acts as a relief period from the very strict regime. More foods are allowed and alcohol can be taken in moderation. The diet during the keep-trim programme contains less protein.

Although the Scarsdale diet may result in weight loss, it is potentially harmful. The excessive amounts of protein and low carbohydrate in the medical diet can result in the accumulation of ketones, chemicals that are toxic in high concentrations. These may not be completely eliminated during the keep-trim programme. See also ketogenic diet.

Created by: Dr. Herman Tarnower

The Scarsdale Diet is a seven- to fourteen-day plan that clearly outlines the types of foods to be consumed at three meals each day. Snacking is not allowed, and herbal appetite suppressants are encouraged. Meals consist of fruit, vegetables, and lean sources of protein in unlimited amounts.

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Cover of The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet

The Scarsdale Medical Diet is a low-fat, low-calorie weight-loss diet system and accompanying book (The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet plus Dr. Tarnower's Lifetime Keep-Slim Program) by Scarsdale, New York physician Herman Tarnower.

Contents 1 Scarsdale Medical Diet 2 Book 3 References 4 External links

Scarsdale Medical Diet

The Scarsdale Medical Diet specifies a very specific and structured diet that is to be followed exactly for the first 14 days, another 14 day period follows that still specifies certain foods to eat, but is less structured and allows additional foods^[1]. A grapefruit for breakfast each day is meant to supply enzymes necessary for burning the 700-calorie per day diet. Artificial sweeteners are used in place of sugar.

Critics acknowledge that the diet gives quick results but say that weight loss on the plan results simply from the reduced caloric intake, and is mostly water weight that is quickly regained; in addition, critics argue that the diet is so extreme as to be unhealthy.^{[citation needed]} However, many followers of the diet report positive results.^{[citation needed]}

Book

The book, originally published in 1978, received an unexpected boost in popular sales when its author, Tarnower, was murdered on March 10, 1980, by his long-time lover Jean Harris, the headmistress of The Madeira School, a fashionable boarding school for high school girls in McLean, Virginia. The murder was the subject of a 2006 made-for-TV movie called Mrs. Harris.

In 2005, the American-based Food Network listed the Scarsdale diet as number two of its top five food fads of the 1970s. Recent years have proved the diet to be most popular in southern France, where up to 10% of people have used the diet in the past seven years.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ "Scarsdale Diet". http://www.scarsdale-diet.com. Retrieved 2009-03-09. 

External links

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