ELLE Macpherson swears by the alkaline diet and credits says it has got her looking great again.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt have followed the Zone Diet.
For Reese Witherspoon, baby food is the go.
And many of us have also taken inspiration from their beautiful figures and given it a go.
And many of us have also taken inspiration from their beautiful figures and given it a go.
Here’s a look at some of the famous diet fads.
ALKALINE DIET
Celebrity followers: Elle Macpherson and Gwyneth Paltrow.
What it involves: The diet advocates an 80/20 ratio of alkaline to acid foods to create the optimal pH balance for good health.
What you can eat: Kale, sprouts, spinach and other leafy greens feature prominently in the alkaline diet, along with ancient grains such as quinoa and amaranth, and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil and coconut oil.
What you can’t eat: Acid-forming sugar, coffee, dairy and refined carbs (white bread, pasta, alcohol and animal protein). Surprisingly, some foods that have an acid taste — such as lemons and apple cider vinegar — actually have an alkalising effect on the body once they’re digested.
Dangers and possible side effects: It promotes the exclusion of many foods.
What it involves: The diet advocates an 80/20 ratio of alkaline to acid foods to create the optimal pH balance for good health.
What you can eat: Kale, sprouts, spinach and other leafy greens feature prominently in the alkaline diet, along with ancient grains such as quinoa and amaranth, and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil and coconut oil.
What you can’t eat: Acid-forming sugar, coffee, dairy and refined carbs (white bread, pasta, alcohol and animal protein). Surprisingly, some foods that have an acid taste — such as lemons and apple cider vinegar — actually have an alkalising effect on the body once they’re digested.
Dangers and possible side effects: It promotes the exclusion of many foods.
THE ATKINS DIET
Celebrity followers: Have includedCatherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Aniston
What it involves: A low-carb regimen, banning carbohydrates such as flour, sugar and potatoes, but allowing protein and fat.
What you can eat and can’t eat: Some fruit and vegetables are also restricted.
Dangers and possible side effects: Possible cardiovascular effects.
What it involves: A low-carb regimen, banning carbohydrates such as flour, sugar and potatoes, but allowing protein and fat.
What you can eat and can’t eat: Some fruit and vegetables are also restricted.
Dangers and possible side effects: Possible cardiovascular effects.
LEMON DETOX DIET
Celebrity followers: Have included Beyonce and Tania Zaetta
What it involves: It comes under many guises but is meant to release the body of poisonous toxins.
What you can eat and can’t eat: The dieter only consumes six to 10 drinks a day, which consist of lemon, tree syrup, cayenne pepper, salt, herbal tea and water.
Dangers and possible side effects: You don’t eat food for a week to 10 days. It’s a fast and makes you sick.
What it involves: It comes under many guises but is meant to release the body of poisonous toxins.
What you can eat and can’t eat: The dieter only consumes six to 10 drinks a day, which consist of lemon, tree syrup, cayenne pepper, salt, herbal tea and water.
Dangers and possible side effects: You don’t eat food for a week to 10 days. It’s a fast and makes you sick.
ZONE DIET
Celebrity followers: Have includedJennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Renee Zellweger.
What it involves: A formula made famous in books by US biochemist Barry Sears. It advocates consuming kilojoules from carbohydrates, protein and fat in a “40:30:30” ratio of kilojoules obtained daily from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively.
Dangers and possible side effects: Constipation, bad breath, stomach cramps, nausea.
What it involves: A formula made famous in books by US biochemist Barry Sears. It advocates consuming kilojoules from carbohydrates, protein and fat in a “40:30:30” ratio of kilojoules obtained daily from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively.
Dangers and possible side effects: Constipation, bad breath, stomach cramps, nausea.
FIVE-FACTOR DIET
Celebrity followers: Have included Jessica Simpson, Alicia Keys.
What it involves: A five-week plan that involves eating five meals a day, with five ingredients per meal. Dieters must exercise for at least 25 minutes, fives times a week. One “cheat day” is allowed, where dieters can eat whatever they like.
What you can eat: You food must include protein, good fats, healthy carbs, fibre and a sugar-free drink.
Dangers and possible side effects: Depends on the types of foods a person chooses to eat, but may lead to irrational or dangerous attitudes to food.
What it involves: A five-week plan that involves eating five meals a day, with five ingredients per meal. Dieters must exercise for at least 25 minutes, fives times a week. One “cheat day” is allowed, where dieters can eat whatever they like.
What you can eat: You food must include protein, good fats, healthy carbs, fibre and a sugar-free drink.
Dangers and possible side effects: Depends on the types of foods a person chooses to eat, but may lead to irrational or dangerous attitudes to food.
THE BABY FOOD DIET
Celebrity follower: Reese Witherspoon
What it involves: Created by US celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, the diet involves eating 14 servings of baby food a day followed by a healthy adult dinner.
What you can eat: Baby food.
Dangers and possible side effects: Babies eat baby food because they don’t need to eat as much as adults. Iron, zinc and calcium deficiencies could arise. Babies also drink milk, which is not part of the diet. Fatigue, iron deficiency.
What it involves: Created by US celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, the diet involves eating 14 servings of baby food a day followed by a healthy adult dinner.
What you can eat: Baby food.
Dangers and possible side effects: Babies eat baby food because they don’t need to eat as much as adults. Iron, zinc and calcium deficiencies could arise. Babies also drink milk, which is not part of the diet. Fatigue, iron deficiency.
MEAL REPLACEMENT DIETS
Celebrity follower: Kim Kardashian has been on the diet
What it involves: From cookies to shakes to bars, there are many meal replacement diets in the marketplace. They are designed to replace normal meals, meaning the dieter has a controlled kilojoule intake without having to count the kilojoules of each meal.
Dangers and possible side effects: Irrational or dangerous attitudes towards food, nutrient deficiency, irritable bowel or constipation.
What it involves: From cookies to shakes to bars, there are many meal replacement diets in the marketplace. They are designed to replace normal meals, meaning the dieter has a controlled kilojoule intake without having to count the kilojoules of each meal.
Dangers and possible side effects: Irrational or dangerous attitudes towards food, nutrient deficiency, irritable bowel or constipation.
RAW FOOD DIET
Celebrity follower: Demi Moore
What it involves: Eating 75 per cent uncooked food, because it’s believed cooking destroys the enzymes that help with digestion.
What you can and can’t eat: Foods include fruit, vegetables, seeds, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, seaweed and mineral water.
Dangers and possible side effects: It is very difficult to have a balanced diet on this diet. Side effects include nutrient deficiency, general fatigue over time, osteoporosis.
What it involves: Eating 75 per cent uncooked food, because it’s believed cooking destroys the enzymes that help with digestion.
What you can and can’t eat: Foods include fruit, vegetables, seeds, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, seaweed and mineral water.
Dangers and possible side effects: It is very difficult to have a balanced diet on this diet. Side effects include nutrient deficiency, general fatigue over time, osteoporosis.
CABBAGE SOUP DIET
Celebrity follower: Sarah Michelle Gellar.
What it involves: Eating a soup of cabbage, peppers, onions and celery for seven days.
Dangers and possible side effects: The diet eliminates important foods and nutrients, especially calcium, iron, zinc and B vitamins. You may feel unwell, bloated and gain weight in the long-term.
What it involves: Eating a soup of cabbage, peppers, onions and celery for seven days.
Dangers and possible side effects: The diet eliminates important foods and nutrients, especially calcium, iron, zinc and B vitamins. You may feel unwell, bloated and gain weight in the long-term.
MACROBIOTIC DIET
Celebrity followers: Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Joe Pesci have been on the diet.
What it involves: The key is high fibre and low fat and it limits or avoids animal foods. It emphasises wholegrains, and these should make up 60 per cent of most meals.
What you can and can’t eat: While its origins lie in Japan with incremental steps that ended with eating only brown rice and water, the modern-day version of this diet includes fruit, vegies, whole grains and soy products. Added to this are plenty of vegetables, some raw and some cooked. Fish or seafood is allowed twice a week.
Dangers and possible side effects: The diet is low in calcium, iron, protein, magnesium and zinc. Side effects include iron deficiency, anaemia and osteoporosis.
What it involves: The key is high fibre and low fat and it limits or avoids animal foods. It emphasises wholegrains, and these should make up 60 per cent of most meals.
What you can and can’t eat: While its origins lie in Japan with incremental steps that ended with eating only brown rice and water, the modern-day version of this diet includes fruit, vegies, whole grains and soy products. Added to this are plenty of vegetables, some raw and some cooked. Fish or seafood is allowed twice a week.
Dangers and possible side effects: The diet is low in calcium, iron, protein, magnesium and zinc. Side effects include iron deficiency, anaemia and osteoporosis.
