Sacred Heart Diet Plan: The Whole Truth!

A friend gave me a copy of the Sacred Heart Diet. It claimed that if you followed the eating plan strictly for seven days, you would lose 10-17 pounds. Supposedly, the diet caused weight loss through detox and some “magical” combination of foods. I was anxious to try it!

Before I began, I researched the plan. It actually has no association with Sacred Heart Hospital or any other hospital. Still, from what I could gather, the diet was not dangerous to follow for seven days. I figured I could do anything for seven days, right?

Below is an account of my experience:

Pre-diet

I went to the grocery store and purchased all the stuff for the soup – the focal point of this diet. Here’s the recipe:

2 cans of diced tomatoes

1 large can fat-free beef broth

3 green onions, chopped

1 head of cabbage, chopped

2 pounds carrots, sliced

1 bunch celery, chopped

2 bell peppers, diced

2 cans green beans

1 package Lipton soup mix, any flavor

Place everything in a BIG pot and add water. Cook until veggies are tender. I tasted the soup, and it wasn’t bad, but it had little flavor. I added worcetershire sauce, garlic salt, pepper, and a few drops of Liquid Smoke. Tasted it again…better. I thought this would be a cinch!

Day 1

All the soup I wanted, plus all the fruits I wanted, other than bananas. I ate lots of grapes, a peach, and a mango. For lunch and dinner, I had soup. Not bad. I wasn’t really hungry after eating the soup and fruits. I drank Crystal Light and water all day.

Day 2

All the soup I wanted, plus all the veggies I wanted, except for corn, peas, and legumes. Baked potato with butter for dinner.

Soup for lunch. Steamed broccoli, asparagus, and boiled squash throughout the day. I could hardly wait for dinner and that baked potato! I forced myself to eat a bowl of soup with dinner.

Lots of trips to the potty. Guess the detox effect is working. Now I understand how you lose so much weight on this diet.

I’m hungry. Hard to fall asleep.

Day 3

Soup, fruit, and veggies – all I want. I don’t like this soup. I want meat!!

Feeling a little weak and shaky. I think I could eat a piece of grilled horse meat about now. And I’m a horse lover.

Day 4

Soup, one glass of skim milk, and 3 bananas. Milk and bananas never tasted so good! This soup is awful. I had to force myself to eat 2 bowls. I had just as soon eat a bowl of dirty dishwater. I feel weak. Need protein. Think I’m going to have a good case of the vapors, just like those Southern belles. Maybe they were on this diet. If I can only make it until tomorrow, I can actually have some meat!

Day 5

Soup, up to 8 fresh tomatoes, and up to 20 ounces lean beef, fish, or skinless chicken. Being forced to eat this soup is cruel and unusual punishment. They should use it to interrogate terrorists. I’d be ready to confess anything as long as I didn’t have to stomach any more of this vile brew.

I had steak today! I rewarded myself with a big ol’ filet, along with some fresh tomatoes from my garden. It was wonderful! Best meat I had ever tasted!

Day 6

Soup and all the lean beef, fish, and skinless chicken I want. Tried to eat a bowl of soup for lunch and almost threw it up. Was only able to stomach half a bowl. Thoroughly enjoyed the steak and grilled chicken breasts. Forced down a cup of soup with dinner. Terrible. I’m sure this is what people in the ninth circle of Hell are fed.

The meat made me feel better – almost human again.

One more day. Just one more day.

Day 7

Soup and all the brown rice I want. Mmm…carbohydrate! Ate the soup over the rice. Was easier to eat the soup this way. If I never see another carrot or stalk of celery, that will be fine with me. I always add celery to my Thanksgiving stuffing. Not this year!

I am going to divorce my husband. He did something unforgiveable. He ate Rice Crispy treats in front of me. I’d kill for a Rice Crispy treat…or a bowl of sugar.

It’s over…finally over. I have endured the torture and have survived, largely unscathed – except for the nightmares. I keep dreaming that giant carrots are attacking me. Perhaps I should seek psychiatric help.

Post Diet

I weighed this morning. I lost 13 pounds!! I’m really not sure it was worth it, though. There has to be an easier way…like cutting off an arm or something. How much does a breast weigh?

Conclusion

Obviously, this is not a diet you can maintain for any length of time – at least no sane, rational person. As soon as I ate a normal meal or two, I immediately gained 5 pounds back. That’s still 8 pounds in 7 days. Not bad. And the quick weight loss did jump-start me and encourage me to stick to a more sensible diet, so all in all, I guess the week of torture was worth it.