The Scarsdale Medical Diet, a low-calorie, high-protein weight loss plan from the 1970s, has a 14-day cycle. While many health professionals don't recommend it due to its unsustainable nature and potential health risks, it's important to understand what foods are not allowed on the Scarsdale diet. The diet's focus is on lean protein while severely limiting carbohydrates and fats, resulting in a long list of forbidden foods.
Prohibited Carbohydrates: Starchy Vegetables, Grains, and Sugar
The Scarsdale diet is very low in carbohydrates, meaning many common sources of carbs are off-limits, with the exception of 'protein bread'. This includes:
- Starchy Vegetables: This includes potatoes, corn, peas, and pumpkin. These higher-carb options are not allowed. Green and waxed beans are the exception among beans, while all others are forbidden.
- Grains: Dieters must avoid wheat and grain products, including bagels, breakfast cereals, pasta, and pizza. Only the specialized, high-protein soy flour bread is allowed in limited quantities.
- Beans and Legumes: Most legumes, such as lentils and chickpeas, are strictly forbidden due to their carbohydrate content.
- Sugary Foods: All sugary snacks, desserts, candies, and sweetened baked goods are banned. This includes chocolate, pastries, cakes, and ice cream. Even breakfast items like doughnuts and sugary cereals are off the menu.
Restricted Fats and Oils
The diet significantly cuts back on fats and oils to reduce overall calories.
- Cooking Oils and Fats: All cooking oils, including olive oil, are forbidden. Butter, margarine, and ghee are also not permitted.
- High-Fat Dairy: Only low-fat or non-fat dairy products are allowed. This means full-fat milk, whipping cream, and most cheeses are banned.
- Fatty and Processed Meats: High-fat cuts of meat and processed options like bacon, sausages, and bologna are on the prohibited list.
- Most Nuts and Seeds: Except for a small, occasional allowance of walnuts or pecans, most other nuts and seeds are forbidden.
- Avocado: Despite being a source of healthy fats, avocado is prohibited on the Scarsdale diet.
Forbidden Beverages and Snacking
Staying hydrated is important, but the Scarsdale diet has firm rules on what you can drink and when you can eat snacks.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol is completely forbidden during the intensive 14-day phase. It is only allowed in moderation during the less restrictive "Keep Trim" phase.
- Sweetened Drinks: Artificially sweetened beverages, sugary sodas, and most fruit juices are not allowed. Plain water, black coffee, or plain tea are the main options.
- Snacking: Between-meal snacking is generally forbidden. If absolutely necessary, a very small snack of celery or carrots is permitted.
Other Prohibited Processed and Convenience Foods
In line with its focus on simple, lean food, the diet bans almost all forms of processed and fast food.
- Fast Food and Frozen Dinners: All fast food items are out, as are pre-made frozen dinners and other processed convenience meals.
- Chips and Baked Goods: Processed snacks like potato chips and most store-bought baked goods are strictly off-limits.
Scarsdale Diet Food Restrictions Comparison
| Food Category | Forbidden | Allowed (with strict limitations) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, most beans, sugary cereals, cakes | Protein bread, certain vegetables (leafy greens) |
| Fats & Oils | All cooking oils, butter, margarine, avocado, fatty meats (bacon, sausage) | Fats from lean protein sources only |
| Sweets & Desserts | Candy, chocolate, pastries, doughnuts, ice cream, most cookies | None |
| Dairy | Full-fat milk, most cheeses, cream | Low-fat or non-fat dairy, cottage cheese (moderation) |
| Beverages | Alcohol, most fruit juices, sugary sodas | Water, black coffee, plain tea |
| Snacks | Most traditional snacks (chips, candy, nuts, fruits) | Celery, carrots (as a last resort) |
Conclusion
The Scarsdale diet is defined by its strict rules about what to eat, and, more importantly, what foods are not allowed on the Scarsdale diet. By eliminating nearly all high-carb and high-fat foods, and severely restricting snacks, the diet forces a significant caloric deficit. While this can lead to rapid, short-term weight loss, it is criticized by health experts for being unsustainable and nutritionally imbalanced. The long list of forbidden foods makes it difficult to maintain, leading to a high potential for weight regain once normal eating resumes. It's wise to consult a healthcare professional to ensure this plan is appropriate for your individual health needs. You can learn more about the downsides in an article from Healthline.
