Dr. Herman Tarnower designed the Scarsdale diet in the 1970s as a nutrient re-balancing diet. The diet consists of 43 percent protein, 22.5 percent fat and 34.5 percent carbohydrates. But weight loss is mainly the result of drastic calorie reduction. The diet promises a loss of at least one pound a day.

Permitted Foods

A limited range of foods is available, based mainly on lean protein and vegetables and fruit with the avoidance of all cereal or any other carb-containing food.

Eggs, cottage cheese, tuna, chicken, lean pork, lean beef, all kinds of vegetables (especially tomatoes and greens), all kinds of fruit (melon, grapefruit, apple). A maximum of three slices of toasted protein bread per day are allowed.

Permitted spices and relishes

Herbs, salt, pepper, lemon, vinegar, Worcestershire, soy sauce, mustard and ketchup.

Permitted drinks

Coffee, tea, at least four cups of water.

Forbidden foods

Any bread or pasta (with the exception of a maximum of three slices of protein bread a day), pastry, sugar-containing foods.

Diet Plan

The diet is designed to last for seven to fourteen days.

There is a similar pattern.

Breakfasts are the same: one half grapefruit, one slice of toasted protein bread, black tea/coffee.

Day One

• Lunch: lean meats, chicken, turkey or fish in any amount and tomatoes (raw or cooked)
• Dinner: fish or shellfish (broiled), salad - any greens and vegetables, one slice of toasted protein bread, grapefruit or a fruit in season.

Day Two

• Lunch: fruit salad in any amount.
• Dinner:lean hamburger without bread and cooked vegetables.

Day Three

• Lunch: tuna/salmon salad (without oil), grapefruit/melon/fruit in season.
• Dinner: two lean pork chops/ roast lean lamb, mixed salad.

Day Four

• Lunch: Two eggs, no fat, cottage cheese, vegetables(squash or zuchini or string beans or tomatoes cooked or raw), one slice of toasted protein bread.
• Dinner: fatless chicken, spinach or green peppers or green beans

Day Five

• Lunch: low-fat dry cheese, spinach, one toasted slice of protein bread.
• Dinner: fish or shellfish, salad or cooked vegetables, one toasted slice of protein bread.

Day Six

• Lunch: fruit salad.
• Dinner: chicken or turkey, tomato and lettuce salad, grapefruit or melon.

Day Seven

• Lunch: chicken or turkey (hot or cold), tomato salad with lettuce or carrots or broccoli or cauliflower, grapefruit or melon/one piece of fruit.
• Dinner: lean steak, mixed salad.

No snacking allowed.

Artificial sweeteners allowed instead of sugar.

Herbal appetite suppressants are encouraged.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Weight loss often occurs rapidly. There is no limit to portion sizes.

Disadvantages

The diet is frustrating and allows too low a number of calories. It is unhealthy because of the strict food limitations, the lack of many vitamins, a protein intake which is too high, and a carb intake which is too low.

Because of the rapid weight loss, which is mostly water, there is the danger of rapid weight gain at the end of the diet.

It encourages herbal-appetite suppressants which are hazardous for health when used in conjunction with stimulants such as caffeine, especially for people with heart disease or high blood pressure.

Conclusion

As long as it does not exceed a fortnight, the diet can be the beginning of an improved way of eating aiming to maintain a healthy body weight. The fortnight time limit is essential to be observed because of the diet's very restrictive character which may result in unhealthy effects if prolonged. However, appetite suppressants should really be avoided.