Whether you're aiming to lose weight or improve your overall health, there are a range of diets in the public spotlight, each with different health benefit claims and levels of scientific backing. Our expert team of nutritionists and dietitians take a look at the facts behind these eating plans, from the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting to Mediterranean diets and detoxes.
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This guide will give you an overview of the most well-known celebrity diets, so you can make an informed decision on the best regime to suit your needs and ensure you’re getting a healthy balance of nutrients.
Visit our ‘All you need to know about diets’ page for recipes and more expert advice on weight loss, including low-GI and the Mediterranean diet
Low-carb diets
Cutting carbs generally has the aim of sending the body into a state of ketosis, a fat-burning process. Plenty of celebrities talk about avoiding carbs – from Kim Kardashian (who says she cuts them out completely to lose weight) to Halle Berry, who uses a keto diet to help manage her diabetes. Read our nutritionists’ review of how keto diets work, or find out more about low-carb eating.
Intermittent fasting
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Intermittent fasting is like a part-time diet in a way, and comes in different versions, with one of the most popular currently being the 5:2 diet. Dieters are recommended to consume a ‘normal’ number of calories five days a week, but for two non-consecutive days a week eat just 25% of their usual calorie total – 500 calories for women and 600 for men. It’s an approach that’s often popular with actors needing to lose weight for a role – including David Harbour in Stranger Things – and does offer some health and weight-loss benefits, according to our experts.
The Fast 800 diet
Developed by TV health expert Dr Michael Mosley, the Fast 800 diet is a type of intermittent fasting diet that claims to potentially cut your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. This involves initially following a low-calorie diet, followed by a period of intermittent fasting and then, finally, a maintenance phase. Find out whether our expert nutritionist believes those claims stack up, how safe and effective the diet is, and whether it can easily be sustained in the long-term.
A plant-based diet
A host of celebrities, from Billie Eilish to Woody Harrelson, choose to avoid eating animals for ethical or health reasons. While being plant-based isn’t as strict as veganism, it centres on fruit, vegetables, grains, pulses, legumes, nuts and meat substitutes such as soy products. In some cases, a small amount of meat and dish are also consumed. Check out the health benefits of following a plant-based diet and how you can maximise its results.
Mediterranean diets
Victoria Beckham has often talked about her rigid eating habits, focusing on grilled fish with vegetables. That sounds like a Mediterranean diet to us, which typically includes lots of healthy fats, vegetables, fruits and beans, as well as moderate amounts of fish, white meat and some dairy. Research shows it may reduce our risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as prolonging life expectancy.
Detoxing
There was a time when dramatic celebrity weight loss was generally attributed to a drastic detox diet in the gossip columns. But it does seem that ‘detox culture’ is falling out of fashion. Cutting out whole food groups means you’re missing out on key nutrients, and isn’t a sustainable way to diet.
Instead, maybe take a leaf out of Meghan Markle or Blake Lively’s books by adding more juices as a healthy way to boost your nutrient intake, rather than committing to a full-on ‘juice cleanse’. You can also read our nutritionists’ explanation of how to detox in a healthy way.
The dopamine diet
Chef Tom Kerridge is the most famous follower of this weight loss plan, saying he lost 11 stone over three years. It’s a low-carb diet that claims to improve mood, too, by focusing on foods that boost the release of the ‘happy hormone’, dopamine. Read our dietitian’s review to find out if it could work for you.
The macrobiotic diet
Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna made the macrobiotic diet famous. It’s often viewed as more of a lifestyle than a diet – it was developed by a philosopher and includes healthy living advice as well as strict dietary practices. Find out whether you’ve got the sticking power of A-listers by reading our review.
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