3 Day Diet

The 3 Day Diet is one of the most popular short-term fad diets around today. Many people adopt the diet to try and achieve short-term weight loss. However, unfortunately most people simply gain the weight back on again once they resume normal eating patterns

Diet Basics

The 3 Day Diet is simply a low calorie diet (as can be seen by the meal plan). There is nothing magical – no mystical chemical reaction that goes on (as some seem to think). Weight loss is due to a sudden drop in calories – some of this may be fat – but most will be from water loss.

3 Day Diet Meal Plan

This diet is not recommended and should never be used for more than 3 days. This kind of diet is often used by those who experience “yo-yo” weight – it is not a good habit to get into.

DAY 1
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water 1/2 Grapefruit or Juice 1 slice toast with 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter	1/2 Cup of Tuna 1 slice toast Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water	3 oz. any lean meat 1 cup green beans 1 cup carrots 1 cup vanilla ice cream 1 medium apple Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
DAY 2
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water 1 egg (any style) 1 slice toast 1 banana	1 cup cottage cheese or tuna 5 saltine crackers Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water	2 beef franks or hot dogs 1/2 cup carrots 1 banana 1 cup broccoli or cabbage 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
DAY 3
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water 5 regular saltine crackers 1 oz.(slice) cheddar cheese 1 apple	1 hard boiled egg 1 slice toast Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water	1 cup tuna 1 cup carrots 1 cup cauliflower 1 cup melon 1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water

 

Condiments Allowed

• Lemon (and lots of it, if you like)
• a dash of salt and/or pepper
• mustard
• cooking spray

Substitutions

Some people use the following substitutions for the 3 day diet:

• 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
• Toast instead of 5 crackers (vice versa)

Why not try the 100 Calorie Diet which is a healthier method of Calorie restriction.

Exercise Recommendations

Because the of the very low calorie nature of the 3 day diet, exercise should be kept to a minimum.

Pros

• Rapid weight loss is possible
• Simple and easy to follow
• Meals easy to prepare
• The 3 Day Diet has been around for many years

Cons

• Low calorie diets can be dangerous for some
• Results are usually short term
• Very low calorie diets can slow metabolism
• Includes fatty or sugary foods like hotdogs and ice cream
• Not suitable for those sensitive to caffeine
• Can lead to yoyo dieting

Conclusions

The 3 Day Diet has been popular for many years as a way to lose weight quickly by drastically reducing caloric intake. However, this plan wouldn’t be sustainable or healthy for the long term, nor does The 3 Day Diet teach dieters how to eat healthy and how to choose smaller portions as a part of a lifestyle. Research shows that slow, gradual weight loss is healthier than short term, rapid weight loss such as advocated by this diet.