The Birmingham cardiac three-day diet was created in the cardiac wing of the Birmingham, Alabama Hospital. Its primary use is to assist cardiac surgery patients to lose weight prior to surgery.

The diet been criticized as a fad diet for quick, short-term weight loss. This fad diet promises weight loss of up to 10 pounds in just three days. The diet is also known as:

The Baptist Hospital three-day diet, American Heart Association three-day diet, bubba’s three-day diet, Florida three-day diet, three-day cardiac death, three-day army die, Hospital three-day diet, and a three day heart diet.

It could be likely that you will lose 10 pounds. However, be aware that the weight that you are losing is water weight and not body fat.

The diet makes all kinds of promises including: (1) quick weight loss, (2) cleansing, (3) increased energy, and (4) lower cholesterol,

How does it work? You must follow the plan exactly for three-day intervals every week to see results. During the other four days of the week you may eat normally. If you want to lose another 10 pounds, just follow the diet for another three days.

So what can you eat? The birmingham cardiac 3 day diet is a very specific plan and you must follow it explicitly in order to see results. If you eat any other foods than those on the diet plan, it will be considered over eating and likely you won’t lose weight. The diet also stresses that under eating should be avoided as well. In fact, you must eat the recommended portions even if you aren’t hungry at the time you’re supposed to eat!

Day one

Breakfast

* 1/2 Grapefuit or Juice * 1 Slice of Toast * 1 tbsp. Peanut Butter * Black Coffee or Tea

Lunch

* 1/2 cup Tuna * 1 Slice Toast * Black Coffee or Tea

Dinner

* 2 Slices (3 oz.) of any Meat * 1 cup String Beans * 1 cup Carrots or Beets * 1 small Apple * 1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Day Two

Breakfast

* 1 hard-boiled Egg * 1 Slice of Toast * 1/2 Banana * Black Coffee or Tea

Lunch

* 1 cup Cottage Cheese

Or

* 1/2 cup Tuna * 5 Saltine Crackers

Dinner

* 2 Wieners * 1 cup Cabbage or Broccoli * 1/2 cup Carrots

Or

* Turnip Greens * 1/2 Banana * 1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Day Three

Breakfast

* 1 hard-boiled Egg * 1 Slice Toast * Black Coffee or Tea

Lunch

* 1 Slice Cheddar Cheese * 5 Saltine Crackers * 1 small Apple * Black Coffee or Tea

Dinner

* 1 cup Tuna * 1 cup Carrots or Beets * 1 cup Green Beans

Or

* Cauliflower * 1 cup Cantaloupe

Or

* 1 small Apple * 1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

The Birmingham, Alabama three day diet has straightforward rules, which are easy to follow. allegedly, that works because it initiates a special chemical breakdown. However, if substitutions are made a special chemical breakdown does not occur and neither does weight loss. You are also allowed to consume:

* Diet soda or tea sweetened with an artificial sweetener * Salt and pepper (no other seasoning) * Stick to this diet for 3 consecutive days each week. * After 3 days eat usual food, but be sure not to over eat. * After 4 days of normal eating, start all over again,