The Scan Diet is a soy-based meal replacement diet, developed by a Scandinavian doctor.

Principle of the Scan Diet

The Scan Diet is based on eating soy-based meal replacement powders. The powders are a combination of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and are mixed with water.

The Scan Diet believes that eating soy-based products can help with weight reduction. Soy is said to help decrease the amount of fat your body stores, and can also help increase your muscle mass. Soy is claimed to boost the efficiency of your muscles, and hence you can lose more weight while doing less exercise.

The Scan Diet is made of three phases – the attack plan, the balance plan and control plan. The attack plan allows no more than 1200 calories per day, while the balance and control plans allows 1500 calories and 1800 calories respectively. Each Scan Diet packet contains 160 calories.

What are you allowed to eat on the Scan Diet

The following are permitted on the Scan Diet:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean meat – such as lean red and white meat and seafood
• Legumes
• Whole grains – such as wholegrain pasta, rice and bread

What is forbidden on the Scan Diet

Any food not on the allowed list is forbidden.

Scan Diet Pros and Cons

The Scan Diet is an easy diet, as it is mainly based around easily-prepared meal replacement packets. The Scan Diet can also help you lose weight quickly.

The Scan Diet can be a useful way to kick-start a diet, especially if you are obese.

There are, however, some concerns about the Scan Diet. Firstly, in its initial stage, the Scan Diet is a low-calorie diet. Low-calorie diets induce weight loss mainly through muscle and fluid loss, because it essentially starves your body. Any weight lost on the Scan Diet is easily regained.

It is also easy to regain any lost weight because the Scan Diet does not teach you to alter your eating habits after the duration of the diet.

The Scan Diet can cause cravings because of its restrictions. When off the Scan Diet, you may find yourself over-eating. The restrictions may also make it difficult for you to maintain the diet.

The Scan Diet can be expensive, as it requires 5 packets per day. It can be difficult to maintain the diet due to the expense.

Finally, there is no scientific evidence that soy can help with increasing muscle efficiency, or that soy products can cause muscles to burn more fat with less exercise.

Daily and Weekly Plans for the Scan Diet

The plans for the Scan Diet is quite simple. The initial phase involves eating 5 packets per day, supplemented by fruit and vegetables. Food is eventually increased until you are eating 1800 calories per day.

Scan Diet Rating

Ease: 4/5 –  An easy diet to start, as it mainly based around pre-made meal replacement packets.

Balance: 2/5 – While the packets are reasonably nutritious, you may still miss out on vital nutrients.

Maintenance: 2/5 – Can be difficult to maintain due to restrictions and expense.

Overall: 2/5