Scarsdale Diet

The Scarsdale Diet has been around a long time, and over recent years has been largely overtaken in popularity by the South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, and Mediterranean Diet. The full name is The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet, which was the name of a book published in 1979. The book was written by Herman Tarnower and Samm Sinclair Baker.

Why is this diet known as the Scarsdale Diet? Dr Tarnower was a New York physician in the Westchester, New York town of Scarsdale, after which the diet became known.

Scarsdale Diet - The Basics

The Scarsdale Diet is a low carb diet, whose supporters claim will lose you a pound a day in weight, over a period of 7 - 14 days. That is one of the problems with this diet, and critics point out that once the two weeks diet is over, dieters may be left wondering how to maintain that weight loss. The Scarsdale Diet is strict and not sustainable as a life time diet.

Another point about the Scarsdale Diet that critics are quick to jump upon is that no exercise is encouraged. It recommends no strenuous exercise at all for the over 40's, an age group most likely to be overweight and in need of lifestyle changes. Having said that, given the very restricted intake of calories in the Scarsdale Diet, most people using the diet would not be feeling very energetic and inclined to exercise.

So what exactly does the Scarsdale Diet consist of? This diet is a highly restrictive low carb diet, and dieters are expected to follow a rigid diet for up to 14 days. During the diet period, you are restricted to 3 meals a day, with a strict no snacking rule. The food allowed is confined to precise portions of fruit and vegetables and only lean protein sources.

The Scarsdale Diet does encourage drinking a large amount of water every day, which is not really contentious, and is something most doctors would probably recommend anyway. However, it also advocates the use of herbal appetite suppressants and artificial sweeteners.

Critics of the Scarsdale Diet say that, although the diet does give quick results, it is far too restrictive of calorie intake and the weight is likely to be quickly regained. Some also criticise th Scarsdale Diet for the removal of some high fibre carbohydrates which can be beneficial to health in the right quantities.

Before launching into the Scarsdale Diet, be sure to compare the diet with the more recent low carb and other diets, and then make an informed choice.