Variations of the three-day diet
Some versions of the Cleveland Clinic diet allow
herbs, lemon juice, vinegar,soysauce, mustard, catsup,
and Worcestershire sauce to add spice or flavor foods.
Versions of this diet that allow food substitutions
do so on the basis that it is a calorie based diet. As long
as food substitutions have equivalent calorie amounts,
the diet will remain effective. Other versions provide
specific lists of permitted substitutions:
An orange instead of grapefruit
Tuna instead of cottage cheese and vice versa
Frozen yogurt instead of ice cream
Cauliflower instead of broccoli and vice versa
Green beans instead of broccoli or cauliflower
Beets instead of carrots
A slice of toast instead of five crackers or vice versa
FunctionThe primary function of the Cleveland Clinic
three-day diet is rapid short-term weight loss. Most
variations of the diet imply that the diet can be used
indefinitely, following a three-days on and four-days
off pattern. Some online versions of this diet claim that
it is a detoxification and weight regulation diet. The
Cleveland Clinic three-day diet is also claimed to
reduce the dieter’s risk of heart disease by lowering
blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
BenefitsThere are no benefits to health from the Cleveland
Clinic diet other than a few pounds of temporary weight
loss. Some dieters like the simple menu and no require-
ments for over-the-counterappetite suppressants.
PrecautionsThe so-called Cleveland Clinic three-day diet or
any of its three-day variations cannot be recom-
mended for anyone who needs to lose weight; in par-
ticular, it poses risks to health for anyone with a
history of heart disease or an eating disorder. In addi-
tion to avoidingfad dietssuch as this one, a general
precaution for anyone seeking to lose weight is to
consult a physician before trying any specific diet.
This precaution is particularly important for adoles-
cents, women who are pregnant or nursing, people
with kidney or liver disorders, people witheating dis-
orders, anyone who has had recent surgery, and any-
one who needs to lose more than 30 lb (13.5 kg).
Risks
The Cleveland Clinic three-day diet is touted on
some websites as a regimen that will lower blood cho-
lesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. On the
contrary, the diet requires foods that are high in fat,
saturated fat, and cholesterol; all of which have been
linked to heart disease.
The rigid rules associated with this diet as well as
its calorie restriction place individuals diagnosed with
eating disorders at risk of a relapse. A study at the
University of Minnesota reported in 2007 that adoles-
cent girls are at particularly high risk of developing or
retaining disordered eating patterns with frequent
exposure to magazine or online articles recommending
diets, including such fad diets as the Cleveland Clinic
diet.
Very restrictive diets such as the Cleveland Clinic
diet may have an effect on dieter’s morale. Some
nutritionists have expressed concern that when dieters
fail to lose weight on these diets, the dieters see them-
selves as weak or lacking willpower rather than recog-
nizing that the diet is unsustainable.Research and general acceptance
The Cleveland Clinic diet is rejected by main-
stream physicians and dietitians. The American
Heart Association (AHA) and the hospitals whose
names have been associated with thecabbage soup
diethave issued formal disclaimers warning the public
that they do not endorse this diet. The Oregon Health
and Science University stated in 2003 that the ‘‘hot dog
and ice cream diet... has been a thorn in our side for
years....Wewillnotpublish the entire meal plan for
fear that someone might take it seriously.’’
The UAB Health System not only disowns the three-
day diet, but notes its specific nutritional inadequacies,QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Have any of your other patients actually tried the
Cleveland Clinic Diet or any other three-day
diet? If so, did they experience any side effects?
Why or why wouldn’t you recommend this diet
to anyone even for a three-day trial period?
What types of food substitutions would be
acceptable?
What is your opinion on cycling the program
each week (three days on, four days off)?Cleveland Clinic 3-day diet