The top 5 worst celebrity diets to avoid in 2016

Fitness blogs, diet books, celebrities bleating about their weight loss secret… There are so many weird and wacky diets out there, how are you meant to find the right one for you?

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has just revealed its annual list of the worst diets – including the ones you should avoid at all costs.

Speaking about these and other fad diets, Sian Porter, consultant dietitian and Spokesperson for the BDA, said:  “When it comes to the latest way to shed pounds – from the good to the bad to the down-right dangerous! – we hear it all. 

“When people need medical advice, they go to their GP – and when people have a toothache, they go to their dentist. But some people will believe almost anything and anyone when it comes to nutrition, food and diet.”

“The bottom line is: if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” she adds. “If you have to pay out for a DVD or book or product that will unlock the secrets of losing weight, this can be a good indicator that the only pounds you will be losing will be out of your wallet.  The simple fact is, there is no ‘wonder diet’ – just as there are no ‘super foods’ – and no one diet fits all.  What is ‘super’ is the way many marketing machines coin certain phrases to make you think there’s some magic wand approach to losing weight.

“Maybe it’s not as exciting, but the truth is: if you do want to lose some weight, do it by eating a healthy, balanced diet that you can stick to, watch your portion sizes and be physically active. Think of it as a marathon approach to achieving your goals, as opposed to a sprint approach.  Aim to make permanent changes to your diet and lifestyle that are sustainable for you in the long term.”

Here are the eating regimes which made the BDA’s worst diets of 2015…

1.  The Sugar-Free diet

Celebrity fans:  Tom Hanks and Sam Smith have reportedly followed this ‘diet’.

What’s it all about?  The Sugar-Free diet is when you exclude all types of sugar (and often carbohydrates, too) from your meals.

BDA verdict:  Not such a sweet deal, says the BDA. And it’s mighty confusing.

“Cutting down on free sugars, reducing the amount of sugar you add, and consuming fewer products already containing added sugar – in addition to being label-aware – is definitely a positive.

“However, some versions of the No Sugar/Sugar-Free diet promote cutting out all sugar from your diet – which is not only almost impossible, but would mean eliminating foods like vegetables, fruit, dairy products and nuts, leading to a less-than-healthy diet.

“It’s also important to be aware of some substitutes these diet plans recommend, like agave, palm sugar, maple syrup or honey – as these are actually just free sugars in another form and a huge contradiction.

“We advocate a whole diet approach, not one that’s about a single food or nutrient .”

2. The All-kale and Chewing Gum diet

Celebrity fans: Jake Gyllenhaal reportedly followed this to shed weight for a film role.

What’s it all about? There isn’t much to this one: all you can eat is kale salad and chewing gum. Sounds delicious!

BDA verdict: “An actor would be carefully monitored and supervised to shed weight for a role. This diet is extreme, socially isolating, unbalanced, hard to sustain and potentially harmful.

“Many people get drawn in by so called ‘super foods’ – but no one food can provide all the nutrients you need. These foods are not a magic bullet; and neither does a ‘good’ food cancel out other poor dietary and lifestyle choices.

“Nothing is wrong with kale, but if that is all you consume all day, every day, then problems will arise. It’s all about balance, a healthy relationship with food – not obsession – and variety.”

3. The Bulletproof diet

Celebrity fans: One Direction’s Harry Styles and Shailene Woodley.

What’s it all about? This quirky diet plan includes a daily Bulletproof coffee of around 400 calories. Foods are classified as bulletproof, suspect or kryptonite – with rules on timing of meals.

BDA verdict: “While the idea of minimising alcohol and processed food is positive, the classification of foods is at odds with health recommendations and lacks evidence. Time-restricted eating is also at odds with many lifestyles.

“The negative of the recommended Bulletproof coffee is that consuming 400+ calories from one beverage provides a lot of energy but few nutrients from a drink – rather than individuals choosing food and drink with more nutritional content for the same calorific value.”

4. The Super Elixir

Celebrity fan: This product is endorsed by Elle McPherson.

What’s it all about? The ‘Super Elixir’ is a food supplement aiming to change body tissue from an acidic to an alkaline state. It comes in the form of a green powder and contains just over 45 ingredients including a number of powdered fruits and vegetables, sweeteners, several Chinese herbs and some digestive enzymes. The recommended dose is 2 teaspoons (10g) per day, meaning a month’s supply will set you back – brace yourself – £96 for 300g.

BDA verdict:  “The benefits that this costly powder claims to provide can easily be obtained from fruit and vegetables and a balanced diet, without the hefty price tag. Moreover, our bodies are naturally capable of regulating acidity levels.

“Why not save your £1,152 per year, spend it on some delicious fruit and vegetables and a splurge on a ‘super’ holiday instead!”

5. Trim Secrets

Celebrity fans: Baroness Michelle Mone, OBE, founder of lingerie brand Ultimo and life peer in the House of Lords, established Trim Secrets with a Scottish naturopath. Chanelle Hayes (the former Big Brother star) has reportedly followed this ‘diet’.

What’s it all about? Trim Secrets is a pill which claims to suppress appetite whilst boosting the metabolism, allegedly aiding both men and women to lose weight when combined with the Trim Secrets 5 stage diet plan. The diet plan includes a balanced diet of 1500 calories per day along with a Trim Secrets capsule taken three times a day before each meal, 1.5 litres of water daily, regular exercise and avoiding stress.

BDA verdict: “By consuming 1500 calories per day, most individuals should lose weight regardless of whether they are taking this pill – and that’s no secret.

“The pill has echoes of the grapefruit diet – and includes guarana, which is high in caffeine, yet states its caffeine-free. Beware of pills and potions and make sure you know exactly what you are buying and taking.”

What’s the worst diet you’ve ever tried? Tell us in the Comments box below.

Share and Enjoy