The Scarsdale Diet

What it is: The Scarsdale Diet was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Herman Tarnowner, whose specialty was treating obesity. The diet is renowned for its rapid weight loss results, claiming to help dieters lose an average of 1 pound per day.

How it works: The Scarsdale Diet causes ketosis, which is the production of excess ketones that burn fat quickly. Ketosis primarily occurs as rapid weight loss in alcoholics and diabetics and is considered and undesirable side effect of these diseases. The ketosis that occurs with The Scarsdale Diet is notably less than that which would typically occur in an ill person.

What you do: The two-week diet splits carbs, proteins and fats into percentages, recommending dieters eat: 43% protein, 22.5% fat and 34.5% carbs. The diet focuses on incorporating protein into each meal, and the meal plan lays out specific items and portions that you should eat each day.

Benefits: The menu plan is easy to follow and easily accommodates dieters who are eating out. The rapid weights loss may be advantageous for someone losing weight for an upcoming event or vacation.

The Down Side: The calorie intake for the diet is incredibly low, especially for active individuals. It may be difficult to adjust to such an extreme diet plan, and when dieters return to their normal habits, the weight is likely to return as well.