Scarsdale Diet

[janis]

I recently switched from Atkins to the Scarsdale Diet because after 5 years, Atkins just wasn't working any more, the slightest cheat caused a weight gain and then it wouldn't come off, and I thought maybe my body could use a little surprise (less fat and--whoopee!--fruit!). It's too early to see any results but I am just wondering if Scarsdale is considered a low-carb plan.

Janis

[doreen T]

Wow, haven't heard from anyone on Scarsdale in DECADES! Actually, I did Scarsdale, way back in the early 80's ... as I recall, it's a very low-calorie plan ... so technically it is lower in carbs ... but it's low in protein and way low in fat too.

Also, if memory serves ... Scarsdale is a short-term plan ... not a lifestyle change, as most low-carb programs are. The diet is meant to be followed for 2 weeks at a time. Technically, it's considered a fad diet, not something you could live with for the rest of your life.

I'm afraid the extreme low calories might slow your metabolism even further, setting you up for easy weight gain no matter WHAT you do. I'm tempted to suggest you add some fat to the Scarsdale menu in the form of 1 or 2 Tbsp fresh flax oil and/or x. virgin olive oil. These will add a few calories, yes, but zero carbs ... and some much needed essential fatty acids, which your body does not make, you can only get them from food. Scarsdale diet was developed long before scientists knew the importance of EFA's.

Doreen

[liv]

I've been trying various low carb diets since februaury, and just recently came across the Scarsdale diet and I've started on it and am doing pretty well. Strangely enough with all the fruit I have fewer cravings than on Atkins/PP etc. Let's say that I'm doing a modified Paleo version of it ... you'll find information on Paleo on the Paleo forum, which makes sense to me (the Paleo not the forum!).

I agree on adding some fat though, if for no other reason that salad is disgusting without it ! :D

Let me know how you're doing because as far as I can tell we're the only Scardalers around ...

Good luck
Liv

PS I just saw the date on your post ... well, if you're still around let me know how you did!!!

[janis]

Hi Liv,

To tell you the truth I lasted about a week on Scarsdale and then went back to Atkins. I just didn't lose any weight! But you may have better luck, I hope so.

Janis

[liv]

Thanks for your reply!

Actually I'm quite happy doing Scarsdale especially for the fruit! And as Doreen suggested I'm adding some olive oil to salads and for cooking, also because food is pretty yucky without it!

Good luck with what you're doing: I'm sure each person being different does better with different things...

Bye
Liv

[captxray]

You know what? Scarsldale isn't for me, any longer...I tried it back in the 80s too. It is pretty much a fad diet because I don't think it's a healthy WOE over time. However, just because it's not for me, and I think it's a fad diet certainly doesn't make me the only authority...actually, I'm not much of an "authority" at all! I'm finding a lot of success on Neanderthin, but very few others on this forum use it. I was not successful on Atkins...and I tried it four times. That doesn't necessarily tell us that Atkins was wrong. Maybe, I just wasn't patient enough to stick through a month of no weight loss each time. Who knows? I may have just started peeling the weight off after a couple more weeks. Good luck to you with that old diet. Maybe, after you have lost some weight on the old fad diet you'll come around. Maybe you'll lose a ton and be very happy. Who are we to tell you, anyway? Even Atkins doesn't have a great record over time. There isn't a diet out there, according to the statistics taken by people who are supposed to know these things, that really has been shown to work over time...because being human (meaning we have no resolve over time) gets in the way! Good luck!

[lastchance]

I also did Scarsdale in the 80's. Definitely high protein, low fat, low carb diet. I seem to remember it was designed for heart patients in the 70s. I couldn't stay on it very long as it was too low in cals and made me hungry!

I remember I did lose weight on it though, then put it back. I am now only interested in a WOE I have half a chance of sticking to for a very long time.

Good luck with it.

Sara

[tama2037]

Hi,
I started Scarsdale today! I am hoping to lose for vaction! I want to lose 15 lbs. I currently weigh 145 and want to be 130! How is everyone else doing on the plan? I wouldnt really say this is a fad! He shows you how to keep eatting right for life. It is up to the person what they do!

[Emerald007]

Hi everyone. I just started Scarsdale today. I'm feeling a little sluggist. How about you? I'm hoping this will work. It would be great to lose that much in such a short time.

[Delphoene]

I too have done Scarsdale. It is a very strict diet. I may not be much of a breakfast eater, but I need more than half a grapefruit and a slice of "protein toast" -that is barely 100cals! It is recomended that on follows the strict diet for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks on the "Keep-Trim Eating Plan"(KTEP) and so forth and so on, til you reach your goal.
KTEP is reasonably healthy and I believe one could stick to it for life:
Eat freely: Fresh fruits (limit bananas), vegetables, (limit corn and peas), eggs, cheeses (all kinds), lean meats/poultry, fish/shellfish,artificial sweetners.
Eat in moderation: Skim/low fat milk, oilives, walnuts, pecan nuts, bread (no more than 2 slices/day, or equiivalent. 100g potato or sweet corn =1 slice bread)
Not permitted:Fats & oils, sugar and ANY food product containing added fat or sugar, avacadoes, nuts other that walnuts/pecans.

[Sandollar]

I remember my mother and doctor putting me on Scarsdale when I was 12 years old!! (no, I wasn't fat...just awkward)
Not a lot of good memories for me...I lost weight but gained it all back when I stopped.

[Skyliz]

Today I'll start my renewed attempts with the Scarsdale Medical Diet (dr. Herman Tarnower). Whenever I need to loose a couple of pounds I turn to this very effective diet, which has never let me down.

I wonder why this super diet seems to be forgotten since most low carb dieters turn to Atkins, South Beach or The Zone. Therefore it doesn't surprise me that only a handful of you people have reacted to this thread.

Who has been on this diet recently and with what results?

In view of the incredible results I am convinced that had dr. Tarnower lived on, his diet would still have been extremely popular. It really is a pity that his life ended so soon the way it did.