3 Day Diet

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Our Reviewer Says ...

"With every meal explained to the letter, you might think this classic fad diet must be a perfectly crafted formula capable of helping you shed unwanted weight in record time. The truth is, the only thing you can expect to do on it is starve."

At a Glance

The 3-Day Diet is a calorie-restrictive program that has dieters follow a specific three-day plan. The actual specifics of the program can vary, but the following is one version of the diet: On day one, dieters have half a grapefruit and one slice of toast with one to two tablespoons of peanut butter for breakfast; half a cup of tuna (or chicken) with a slice of toast for lunch; 3 ounces of lean meat, once cup of string beans, one cup of carrots (or beets), one apple and half a cup of vanilla ice cream for dinner. On day two, dieters eat one egg, half a banana and one slice of toast for breakfast; one cup of cottage cheese and three saltine crackers for lunch; two hot dogs, one cup of broccoli, half a cup of carrots and one cup of vanilla ice cream for dinner. On day three, dieters eat three saltine crackers, one slice of cheddar cheese and one small apple for breakfast; one hard boiled egg along with a slice of toast for lunch; one cup of tuna, one beet, one cup of cauliflower, half a cup of cantaloupe and half a cup of vanilla ice cream for dinner. There are no snacks in between meals, and with each and every meal, dieters are allowed black coffee, tea or water (some versions also allow diet soda.)

Checklist

Cost: Low.
Meals Provided: None.
Diet Duration: Three days. Afterward, dieters go off the diet for five to six days, then repeat the program (until the desired amount of weight is lost).
Fitness Requirements: None specifically recommended.
Time Commitment: Low.
Eating Out: Possible
Alcohol: No.
Vegetarian-Friendly: No.
Strict/Flexible Eating Plan: Very strict.

Fitness expert Myatt Murphy is the author of the best-selling books, The Body You Want in the Time You Have, Ultimate Dumbbell Guide and The Men's Health Gym Bible.

124 Comment

Last Updated on Jun 7th 2010 2:00PM by Myatt Murphy

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, All Diets

Tags: 3 day diet, diet review, fad diets, restrictive

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

ennui 6-07-2010 @ 6:23AM

three things to do?....read a book, stop watching television, and take a walk.

Carol 6-07-2010 @ 7:22AM

My doctor actually gave me this diet to HELP lower my cholesterol. I lost 4 pounds and was faithful the first week and actually was full. I found that I couldn't do it again faithfully, but do keep it all in mind and use the strategy partially every week to keep those 4 measly pounds off. The tuna is what gets you.

Rhonda 6-07-2010 @ 9:24AM

I couldn't agree more. I HAVE done this diet a couple of times. It's really easy and short (time frame wise). What I think most people miss about this diet is the portion of what you eat. For ME I found that cutting back on the portions of what I eat achieves the same goal and a "strict diet". A "DIET" is really "what you eat in a day's time". Eat what your normally eat but in small portions. Cut out MOST of your sugars and you'll be fine. Exercies is the key to EVERYTHING......physical healtha as well as mental health.

Emilia 6-07-2010 @ 11:42AM

ennui, what the heck does reading a book have to do with loosing weight?!

Liz 6-07-2010 @ 12:40PM

I've used this diet off and on for 25 years and it works if done once a week for 8-10 weeks. I consistently lost 1 1/2 to 3 pounds a week. I always found the third day lunch hard, but other than that, it wasn't hard. Do it with a friend, it's more incentive. It also helps stop sugar cravings.

Kristine Angle 6-07-2010 @ 12:53PM

Hot dogs? Ick! That's processed food! Why is that on this diet?

Babs 6-07-2010 @ 1:30PM

This is an old diet revisited. I did it years ago when it was called St. Joseph's Hospital diet. I would do it every Mon - Wed. It actually worked. You'd think I'd eat like crazy the other 4 days but I actually filled up quick and ate less. Problem was although I lost almost 10 pounds in a month, I just couldn't continue anymore. I would get thru day two and quit. Also I started losing less weight each time. I gave this diet to a friend and after trying it, she told me "Geez, you want to kill somebody by the third day." That about sums it up. The ice cream was the best and I looked forward to it. Vanilla ice cream never tasted so good!

Karen 7-23-2010 @ 2:55PM

This 3-Day Diet is doable. I was never starved during this time and I have lost between 5-6 pounds over the last 3 weeks. Not a lot of weight but a great feeling of satisfaction. I threw in some more fruit after the first week, like black cherries, strawberries, and peaches.

dawn brigman 6-07-2010 @ 6:47AM

seriouly how can u survive on those calories a day? three saltine crackers for lunch,r they insane?I have three kids 7,4, and 2. I have lost 2 inches of my waist in one month. I started running,lifting weights, most importantly i cut out all the junk food.YES i can still eat. Why dont u people try running, joing a gym?There is no way your body can live of what 600 cals a day,its just ludicris!!!!!

Janet Warner 6-07-2010 @ 11:36AM

Actually, you can survive very well on that amount of calories.
I have eaten about 500-700 calories a day for the past 5 months.
No hunger, no shakes from hypoglycemia, no headaches.
I exercise moderately.
The trick, unfortunately, is not an easy one.
I had weight loss surgery.
I am extremely healthy because of the weight loss.
So, yes, it can be done on that few of calories with no ill side effects.

Terry 6-07-2010 @ 11:52AM

Some of us are educated enough to WORK for a living...also single parents. There's no time for the luxury of joining and going to a gym.

ann 6-08-2010 @ 10:20AM

I have done this diet and I like it. I have lost weight on it. For me finding time in my day to workout is really hard. I have 3 kids 13, 12 and 2.5 yrs old. Between work, school, baseball and other after school activities (baths, homework, dinner) I am already lucky to get in bed around 11:30 and up at 5:30am When do you suggest I take the time and go running or who has money for a gym membership?

Bekah 6-07-2010 @ 1:13PM

umm..Terry, educated enough to work??? That's rude. And it has nothing to do with weight loss. I applaud single mothers and I also applaud those who make sacrifices to be able to stay at home and raise their children. It doesn't mean they are stupid.It's noble. Get over yourself. I agree Dawn, starving ourselves is not the answer, exercise and healthy eating is.

Angie 6-07-2010 @ 6:54AM

Maybe you should read a book instead of "joing" a gym....all the workouts in the world do not help all people....and it is more than 600 calories in that diet...check again...

dawn brigman 6-07-2010 @ 10:32AM

ok so it's 700 cals,the fact of the matter is u need more the food they are telling u to eat.Vitamims, fat carbs,calories are essential to SURVIVE AND BE HEALTHY.Folks who are really overwight probobly have underlying issue and should seek a medical doctor.What is so bad about joing a gym or working out at home(thats what i do)Little things in your daily routine can make all the differnce.Fresh fruit instead of chips,turkey sandwich instead of cheesburger.U also healthy snacks popcorn,apple cheese and crackers.GO ahead and eat that piece of cake at the office (everything in moderation).The point of the matter is this is an obsurd diet all u r left with when r done is being hunry.Does this diet mention what to when u the three days is up or do u just starve for the rest of your life?By the way u need at LEAST 1,000 cals in your diet a day. IN not doing so this can result in other health issues...pick up a book

Lori 6-07-2010 @ 5:56PM

Actually, three days of low calorie intake is not going to harm you physically. I'm going to try it just so I can prove to myself that I have self-control. I am all about smaller portions, weight lifting and aerobic burn. But this is the first diet I have seen that actually has food I have around the house. Other diets seem to want ingredients that I would have to make a special trip for. On a side note, why does everyone have to be so mean spirited to complete strangers? Is it because they are having problems at home and need to take it out on someone? It doesn't help the article in any shape or form.

Millie Fisser 6-07-2010 @ 1:17PM

I agree with you wholeheartedly. No diet is good, because you can never keep it up. But also for Kate, I was overweight big time. Then I decided "enough is enough", and I started my own losing battle by just eating everything, but everything less. It did take me 2 years, but I was back to normal and slender and from then on I decided too, never to gain again and to this day, for more than 40 years, I did not gain again and live a content, happy life, eating everything, but never overdoing it, except for once in a great while. Good luck if you believe me, but remember it takes 2 years or maybe for you less, I hope?

SheriLou 6-07-2010 @ 7:22AM

First, don't follow the diet she posted, the breakfast and lunch at the end are switched and you have five saltines not just three. Also its very stricked and you cant have the chicken instead of the tuna. Cottage Cheese is an option if you don't like tuna. And one cup of tuna is a lot. Its only for three days. I have completly starved for three days and didn't lose as much as I did eating what they listed. After the three days you eat your normal diet for just four days not five or six, just don't over eat, repeat till you get were you want to be. Vanilla Ice Cream to top of my diet day. WOW. Doesn't sound so bad to me. It has less sodium than those packaged meals!!!!! Good Luck Im on the side of possitivity.

Kaye 6-07-2010 @ 9:05AM

I'm very lucky to have never had to diet, as I see so many people struggle and even though faithful at sticking with a diet, not lose anything. People say you would starve on this diet. Sounds crazy to me that one would. A Cup of tuna or cottage cheese. That appears to be a lot and 2 hotdogs? I can barely eat one and when doing so, I certainly don't eat anything else with it. Though when having tuna, after putting my mayo in it (not a lot) and a hard boiled egg, I can have 3 or 4 lunches off that...a half sandwich fills me up! One would have to eat more than one can to make a Cup! If I were to have the grapefruit, I certainly don't need the toast and peanutbutter to go with it. I'd be stretching my stomach if I went on this diet. I do eat all that candy and junk each day, but in moderation so I've never weighed more than 105 and usually at about 98 lbs. If I stopped eating the junk food, I'd lose too much weight and I can't afford that to happen. The most I've ever weighed was 120 and I was pregnant with an 8.9lb baby. For those that might think of me as too thin and unhealthy. Very wrong, as I am extremely healthy. At 64 I am thankful to say that I only take vitamins and without illnesses. Everything is about taking responsibility of ourselves. One would be able to eat pretty much anything they wanted if they do it in moderation.