An Overview of the Scarsdale Diet

The Scarsdale diet is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie weight-loss diet that includes a very specific program to be followed in each of four phases. Becoming popular in the 1970s the diet includes a strict fourteen-day diet plan which provides for meals that are 43 percent protein, 22.5 percent fat, and 34.5 percent carbohydrate.

Basic Rules

Each phase of the Scarsdale diet follows these rules:

• Eat exactly what is assigned. Don't substitute.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
• Eat only carrots, celery and low sodium broth between meals.
• Limit beverages to regular or decaffeinated black coffee, tea, club soda, diet soda, sugar free drinks and water.
• Dress salads with lemon and vinegar, vinagrette or mustard dressing.
• Eat vegetables.
• Eat only lean meats.
• Create meals from the approved combinations, do not substitute or add foods.
• Eat until full.
• Do not diet for more than fourteen days.

Phase I: Scarsdale Medical Diet (SMD)

This two-week phase of the diet provides a strict plan for weight loss. Breakfast is generally the same every day. The lunches include assorted cold cuts, restricted to certain meats. Dinner often involves animal protein or seafood. There are no limits on the amount of specified beverages.

Phase II: Keep Trim Eating (KTE)

This two-week phase is provided as a maintenance period. It is designed to readjust the body's basic metabolic index to the lowered body weight mass while maintaining or continuing weight loss. While the basic rules for this phase mimic those of the previous one, it introduces some additional higher-calorie foods as well.

Phase III: Two-On, Two-Off

This phase is only necessary if the dieter wants to lose more weight at the end of the Keep-Trim Program. Two-On refers to the two weeks in the SMD phase. Two-Off refers to two weeks out of the SMD phase and in KTE phase.

Phase IV: Lifetime Keep-Slim Program

This phase is designed for the dieter that has reached goal weight and developed healthy eating habits. The dieter is expected to plan meals, choosing from the specified foods and beverages. The FOUR-POUND STOP SIGNAL - Dieters are encouraged to weigh themselves on a daily basis. Should the reading reach more than four pounds above goal weight, the program is to be restarted.

Who created the Scarsdale Diet?

Herman Tarnower, MD, creator of Scarsdale Diet, says that the diet plan evolved from years of medical practice, day-to-day experience with all kinds of patients, and just plain common sense. Dr. Tarnower practiced medicine in Scarsdale, New York, the location from which the name is derived.

Scarsdale and Medical Research

DietForYou is not aware of any clinical studies of the Scarsdale diet's effectiveness.

Cautionary Notes

The diet is designed for adults with normal health. The diet is not recommended for individuals with medical problems or pregnant women.