Scarsdale Diet
A world-reknowned program since the 1970s.
BACKGROUND
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Created in the 1970s by Dr. Herman Tarnower, the Scarsdale Diet is named for the town in New York in which Dr. Tarnower conducted his thriving medical practice, before meeting his untimely death by the hands of his long-time lover, Jean Harris. As a medical doctor specializing in treating obesity, Dr. Tarnower combined the medical phenomenon of ketosis, and its ability to generate weight loss, with an MD-designed food program that causes ketosis in otherwise healthy individuals.
Ketosis, or the production of excess Ketones, is described as producing the residual "ashes" or "embers" of fat-burning. Ketosis is generally a bad thing, causing both Alcoholics and Diabetics to lose fat rapidly as an unwanted side-effect of the disease. One can check if the body is engaged in Ketosis by measuring Ketones in the urine, though it should be noted that the Ketosis generated by the Scarsdale diet is generally at lower levels than those with illness-induced Ketosis.
The Scarsdale Diet is reknowned the world over for its rapid weight loss results, generally 1 pound per day. Some users boast a loss of 20 pounds in 14 days, though they readily admit that a significant part of that is water loss and readily returns once the diet is discontinued.
PRO
- The Scarsdale Diet has a long-running history of success all over the world
- The high protein component of the program resonates strongly with those who have had success with off-shoot programs such as Atkins
- Menu plan is very specific, making it easy for the user to follow
- Rapid weight loss is ideal for someone preparing for a vacation, wedding, or other special event in which appearance is important
- Easy to dine out
CON
- The calorie level of 700 to 1000 calories is too low for even a moderately active individual
- Many users complain of fatigue and extreme hunger
- The restrictive nature of The Scarsdale Diet could be too excessive for many, and leaves little room for error or variation
- No maintenance plan means the weight can quickly return when you abandon the diet
DIET and NUTRITION
A sample day on The Scarsdale Diet looks like this:
Breakfast
- 1/2 grapefruit
- slice of wholemeal toast (no spreads or butter)
- coffee (no sugar or milk)
Lunch
- canned tuna
- salad with oil-free dressing
- coffee
Dinner
- roast lamb (with all visible fat removed)
- salad with lemon and vinegar dressing
- coffee
Drinks
- Water
- Diet drinks
- Tea
- Soda water
The program's devotees have created a number of support websites, which include some fun, easy recipes that the whole family will enjoy. In addition, the unlimited nature of lean meat and plain vegetables, especially at dinner, makes it easy to dine out while still staying true to program.
EXERCISE
Never discussed, though that is a good thing, as the low-calorie nature of the program lends itself ideally to the individual that engages in little to no activity, other than some light gardening or housekeeping. Think "ladies who lunch" rather than "soccer mom who actually plays soccer."
CONCLUSION
The Scarsdale Diet, and its companion program the "Keep-Trim" Diet, is one that will never lose its style or place in dieting history. While Ketosis is best when medically supervised, it is not uncommon to find a container of Ketostix in the medicine chest of most American households.
In addition, high protein menu programs provide energy and satisfaction, from a sensory perspective, as well as making us feel full. Potential digestive disturbances aside, The Scarsdale Diet, doesn't feel like a restrictive diet at all, but rather permission to be diligent about food intake.
Common Misspellings
scarsdale diet, TSD, scarsdial diet, keep trim diet, scaresdale diet, scarsdale deit
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User Feedback
(Page 4 of 5, 81 total comments)Marquitta
I'm going to try this...
posted Sep 30th, 2009 11:46 amHope it Does Goo = )
Margret
I Love This Solution This Really Changed me. I Recomand This soultion To any trying to find a Quick, Fast way to lose Wait!
posted Sep 30th, 2009 11:44 amThank You Scarsdale
joy
to kelly the firrst comment -= try having soem ginger - its supposed to really help with the moion sickness and also 1 cup of popcorn - is that before or after its made? cos if its enough i would gladly have that as a subsitute meal - i love popcorn!
posted Apr 2nd, 2009 4:35 pmKelly
Usually if you are able to follow the diet strictly, it is indeed a successful one. When my mom was 40 she began the diet and stuck to it religiously. In the first month she lost 22lbs (with the doctor watching her carefully, of course.) She spent the entire summer swimming for her exercise, and at the end lost a total of 76lbs.
posted Mar 28th, 2009 8:03 pmKeep in mind, you must also take into account your metabolism. I fully agree that it is a successful diet, but unfortunately I personally haven't been able to stick to it. If I commute on an empty stomach I become violently ill, and the lack of fiber tends to cause terrible constipation within two days. I was able to do it about 8 years ago, but with some minor adjustments (which sometimes boost the weight loss.) The following tweaks are the ones I found the most helpful:
2 slices bread, no spread, OR 1 slice with spread.
Grapefruit juice instead of an actual grapefruit (particularly helpful in getting more into you. The citric acid is a major fat burner, and you can drink it throughout the day.)
1 cup of popcorn a week (I did this, and the day I ate it was always the day I lost the most weight that week.)
I am going to give the diet another shot starting tomorrow, but adding a couple more tweaks to deal with the car sickness. Hopefully they will help without impacting the results drastically.
In the mean time, I strongly recommend this diet. It is without a doubt difficult at first, but it is well worth it.
NOTE!!!!! You should consult a doctor before starting, ESPECIALLY if you are diabetic or have any other health issues that are affected directly by diet.
shelly
to those who it has worked for.......do you use protein bread or whole wheat? do you keep it to one slice for bkft or 2? and do you allow yourself a whole grapefruit instead of 1/2? I'm starting the diet today...last time I was on it was abour 18 years ago......it used to wiork, but I'm a lot heavier now after 2 kids, age 44, etc. But I'm hoping it will be a good kick start....pls give me encouragement..Thanks!
posted Mar 12th, 2009 8:08 amrachel o9
ive been thinking of doing this diet but im worried that ill notbe able to stick to it as ive got 4 small kids to look after any advice would be great
posted Mar 10th, 2009 7:04 amAnna
I've used this diet since I was 18 and it always worked: I usually loose 5-6Kg. regaining my usual 57kg perfect weight. I sometimes regain weight just because I'm very greedy but it only happened 3 times in my life. Now I'm 50 and I'm on this diet again after Christmas holidays: I'm 5kg over and I really hope to loose them all again as usually.
posted Jan 9th, 2009 3:11 pmGreat diet, easy to follow and most of all IT WORKS!!!!!!
shamrock
..i'm 5ft 2'' and weigh nearly eleven stone-im well aware that i need to lose weight and fast-would quick results from this diet take long because i'm not extremely over-weight/obese?
posted Dec 30th, 2008 6:22 pmWanda
I lost 50 lbs...10 years ago on the scaresdale diet. I did put my weit back. But that was because of depresion.I recently went back on it and lost 25 lbs. already.And I did use sugar in my coffee WITH CREAM And used olive oil in my cooking plus oil & vinegar in my Salads.and butter on my toast.YOU STILL CAN LOSE 1 LB. A DAY! wITH SELFCONTROL AND NO DIET PILLS!DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND YOU CAN AND WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF.
posted Dec 20th, 2008 4:26 pmdonna
very easy to use and you certainly lose the weight. I lost up to 7 lbs per week with very little effort.
posted Dec 12th, 2008 6:17 pmSlim (girl)
This diet is fantastic! I used it to lose 20kg (44lbs) about 5 years ago (which I have mostly kept off), and recently went back on it to lose 3 kg (6.5lbs) before Xmas. I usually lose around 10 lbs over 2 weeks. It never fails to work and is very easy to follow.
posted Dec 11th, 2008 12:20 amemily
i love this diet except now that i know what it is i dont like it.
posted Dec 4th, 2008 11:46 amilovemoses
Sam
My entire family used this diet several years ago. We all lost weight and felt great. I personally lost 55 lbs over a period of time.
posted Nov 6th, 2008 4:46 pmFemale 20
Love it! Lost 14 pounds in 2 weeks! Stuck to the diet most of the time, while substituting some of the dinner menus with things that I like a little better that was in other dinner meals. Loved it.. really worked... the only one thats worked... tried 4 different other diet plans.
posted Oct 20th, 2008 9:14 pmLee
This diet is great. I have lost 16 kilo's in the past 12 months and managed to keep it off. Still having my glass or 3 of wine.
posted Oct 7th, 2008 1:17 amgirl
this diet sucks!
posted Sep 23rd, 2008 9:14 amMe
This diet works really well. However - if you aren't overweight but you only want to loose that little bit of fat on your stumach, it may take longer for you to lose weight. Don't worry, you will loose it, just don't get upset when you don't loose 2 kg a day! Good luck!
posted Jun 16th, 2008 9:08 amAnonymous
This diet is the best diet that was ever created! The calories I take in are a lot more than 700 to 1000!!! You are allowed to eat as much as you want until you are full! I have always fallen back on this diet when all else fails! I have been on it now for 3 weeks and have lost 15 pounds. I always have the substitute lunch. To eat this way is soooo healthy, especially compared to the things I used to shove in my mouth when hungry! I don't know why they compare it to the atkins, on this diet you get bread, cottage cheese, tons of fruit and vegetables and only lean meats! This is not a high protein diet! It is a healthy way of eating!!
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amAnonymous (girl)
My friends at work and I tried this diet years ago. We ate lunch together away from everyone else with their Quarter Pounders and fries. We all lost weight but the meals were awful. None of us liked spinach and that was usually what we made for lunch. I grew to dread lunch time. After about 2 months we stopped. I lost about 10 pounds.
posted May 5th, 2008 8:38 amLeyla
it does really work i have been on it since tuesday and i lost 8 pounds today is wendsday!!!!!! i love it!
posted Apr 25th, 2008 2:53 pm