Anyone heard of an organ transplant donor diet, 10lbs a week

sugarbugger
sugarbugger Posts: 45
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I know someone who is trying a diet apparently designed by the people who do organ transplants, to allow obese relatives who want to donate a kidney or whatever to quickly lose enough weight to go under anaesthetic. Apparently you do it for three consecutive days a week for a maximum of 6 months, and it's said you can lose up to 10lbs a week. So far the person I know has lost 14lbs in two weeks. I don't know much about the actual diet itself but apparently it's all about the chemical combinations of foods (a meal of tuna, kidney beans and beetroot was mentioned if I recall correctly) and you eat less than 800 cals a day for those three days a week.

Has anybody heard of this diet?

Replies

  • ivansmomma
    ivansmomma Posts: 500
    I've never heard of it. My big brother was my kidney donor (4 years ago tomorrow, PTL), but he wasn't overweight/obese. I don't know how healthy this diet would be, but if it's under a doctor's care, I would say it's okay. I wouldn't try it for someone just trying to lose weight, though.
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    I'm in the process of losing weight to do a kidney donation and the Medical College of Georgia where it is being set up has mentioned absolutely nothing about a special diet like this. The only thing they recommended to me was to maintain an eating plan of 15% protein so that the kidney isn't overworked prior to the transplant. Maybe they didn't mention this because I'm a trainer and nutritionist so they figured I knew what I was doing? Or maybe this is just something that your friends specific doctor does? But it's not something that was mentioned to anyone looking to donate in our family. In fact, the only nutrition services I've seen in relation to organ donation is the RD that works with the recipients at the dialysis clinic I've volunteered at, but that is because they are on special diets because of their medical conditions that have caused the need for kidney replacement.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    I know someone who is trying a diet apparently designed by the people who do organ transplants, to allow obese relatives who want to donate a kidney or whatever to quickly lose enough weight to go under anaesthetic. Apparently you do it for three consecutive days a week for a maximum of 6 months, and it's said you can lose up to 10lbs a week. So far the person I know has lost 14lbs in two weeks. I don't know much about the actual diet itself but apparently it's all about the chemical combinations of foods (a meal of tuna, kidney beans and beetroot was mentioned if I recall correctly) and you eat less than 800 cals a day for those three days a week.

    Has anybody heard of this diet?

    It sounds ok since it sounds like the focus is that you only take in very high nutrient foods for your 800 calories (the thing people say about eating 1200 is because its very hard to get enough nutrients if you don't eat 1200/day) but if the other 4 days a week you just binge eat it isn't gonna help you much. I'd say if you're game to eat that restricted 3 days a week (meaning you absolutely can't eat a cookie as part of your 800 calories) and the other 4 days a week you eat a normal restricted loss amount you would probably do okay. Its probably not intended to do for more than a few months but if this really appeals to you I'd say go for it.
  • sbwood888
    sbwood888 Posts: 953 Member
    deleted
  • TheOddOne
    TheOddOne Posts: 45 Member
    Sounds like the "three day diet." .... you can Google it and find more info. I tried it once over a year ago. Just doing the 3 days, I felt sick and had no energy. I did not lose any weight from it. I've found exercise and healthier food choices work much better and I still feel silly for trying a 'fad' diet. LOL
  • sugarbugger
    sugarbugger Posts: 45
    Sorry I should add that the person doing this diet is doing it as a weight loss diet, not in order to become a donor. I'm not sure I'm tempted to do it in case you're mostly losing fluids rather than fat, I just wondered if it was sustainable or whether it's just pretty much a crash diet. Thanks for your input so far.
  • TheOddOne
    TheOddOne Posts: 45 Member
    Links:

    http://www.faddiet.com/3daydiet.html

    http://www.3daysdiet.com/

    http://www.weightlossdietinformation.com/3-day-diet-reviews.html

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-3-day-diet
  • sugarbugger
    sugarbugger Posts: 45
    Thank you, that's undoubtedly the diet I'm talking about. Shame it's a fad!
  • kellydharriso
    kellydharriso Posts: 50
    It sounds like the "3 day Diet" I tried once. I lost about 20 lbs in a few weeks, but I gained it all back (and then some) when I quit doing the diet. I also want to add that the plain tuna is disgusting after the first 2 or 3 times you eat it...blah It's an easy fix if you are needing to shed some quick pounds for a vacation or to fit into a certain outfit or something ,but, I would not do it if you are planning on long term wieght loss.
  • ivansmomma
    ivansmomma Posts: 500
    I've said this many times before - if you go ON a diet, you will ultimately go OFF a diet. A healthy lifestyle is sustainable, with good, nutritious foods and exercise.
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