The Cardiac 3 Day Diet

The Cardiac Three-day Diet is a fad diet which has been posted on various blogs and Internet message boards and claims to cause a 10-pound weight loss in only three days. This diet has also been called the Birmingham Hospital Diet and the Cleveland Clinic Diet. According to those who promote this diet, the combination of specific foods in specified amounts triggers fat reduction rather than general weight loss, which may include loss of water weight or muscle tissue.

History

Supporters of this diet claim that it was designed to help patients lose weight before cardiac surgery. The American Heart Association, the Cleveland Clinic and the UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, have all been credited with developing this diet. These organizations have posted information on their websites denying these claims.

Function

The Cardiac Three-Day Diet is said to cause loss of fat rather than muscle tissue. According to the UAB Health System, there is no scientific proof to support this claim. Additionally, the UAB asserts that a 10-pound weight loss over a short period of time will comprise water and muscle tissue rather than body fat.

Calories

The daily caloric intake while on this diet varies from 1,000 to 1,300 calories. Following a low-calorie diet can cause weight loss, but these restrictive diets are difficult to maintain. While a dieter may lose weight following this plan, a 10-pound weight loss over a three-day period is unrealistic. According to the UAB Health System, weight loss exceeding two pounds a week is unhealthy.

Fat

Many of the food choices on this diet are high in fat--and in saturated fat. Day 2 of this diet supplies 69.6 grams of fat, with 29.2 grams coming from saturated fat. This means that 47 percent of the diet's total calories that day come from fat. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, no more than 35 percent of a person's total calories should come from fat and less than 10 percent should come from saturated fat. Days 1 and 2 supply 39 percent fat and 36 percent fat.

Warning

The Cardiac Three Day diet is a high-fat diet including poor food choices such as ice cream and hot dogs. Dieters may lose weight by following this diet, but most of that weight will be gained back when they resume normal eating habits. Following a healthy and sensible diet will result in more permanent weight loss and improved health overall.