3-day Cardiac Diet

A cardiac diet was basically created to help people with cardiac problems, to lose weight, thus preventing a cardiovascular disease. This 3-day cardiac diet is also known by different terms like, 3-day Birmingham Cardiac Diet, 3-day Navy Diet, Tuna Fish Diet, Florida 3-day Diet, Alabama 3-day Diet, Cleveland Clinic Diet, etc.

It was believed that this diet originated in a hospital in Alabama, called Birmingham. The hospital does not concur with this and does not claim any responsibility for designing this diet plan. This diet plan is criticized by health professionals, considering it unhealthy and poor alternative for long term weight loss. Let us discuss this diet plan.

The 3-day cardiac diet is among the fad diets, that promise quick weight loss. As mentioned, this diet plan is said to be designed for patients who need to lose weight within a short period of time. The diet plan lists the food items that should be consumed for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days.

The calorie intake on the first day is about 1035, 1020 on the second day and 1040 on the third. An intake of low calories, is actually the reason of weight loss. However, some argue that the weight lost during this diet is because of some chemical reactions caused in the body, due to the food.

Thus, it is clear that the calorie restriction for this diet plan is very high. This diet plan promises 10 pounds of weight loss within three days. It has been observed that it works in different ways for different people. There are no scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of this diet plan. Thus, it is necessary to know if this diet really works.

According to the promoters of this diet plan, the food items that are included in the diet plan boost up the metabolism. It is also considered that the diet plan helps in detoxifying the body.

The food items included in the diet menu, undergo certain chemical reactions, which help to reduce weight in a short period of time. After following this diet plan, one may surely lose weight, but 10 pounds of weight loss is not guaranteed.

Although a person may not lose the entire 10 pounds, loss of some weight will definitely be noticed. However, as this is a three-day diet, the person will tend to gain the lost weight back, once he starts eating normally.

As per the U.S. department of agriculture, not more than 35 percent of fat should be present in a person's daily consumption of calories. Whereas, the saturated fat should not exceed 10 percent. Most of the food recommended in this diet are high in fat and saturated fat. 

Moreover, it deprives the body from essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Thus, losing weight within 3 days is not considered healthy, and it can pose various health problems. Weight loss should always be gradual and steady. Let us take a look at the actual weight loss program for this 3-day cardiac diet.

It also allows the consumption of tea and coffee, as long as it is consumed without milk or any other dairy products (i.e - black tea, black coffee). Drinking at least 9 glasses of water is recommended. Here is the detailed plan for three days:

Just like every other fad diet, 3-day cardiac diet plan has been surrounded by controversies. It is finally the choice of an individual whether he/she wants to rely on quick weight loss or on some healthy weight loss plan, that includes both diet and exercise.