Celebrities seem to always have the most amazing figures. But at what lengths do they go to in order to achieve this?
TODAY nutritionist Joanna McMillan Price takes us through the four most popular celebrity diets and gives us the Pros and Cons of each.
THE DIETS
Zone - Jennifer Aniston
The Zone consists of Low-fat protein, Low glycemic-load carbs (mostly fruits and vegetables) and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats It involves breaking your meals into 40 % cabs, 30% protein and 30% fat.
The Zone rules:
Eat a Zone meal or snack within one hour after waking up.
Eat every 4 to 6 hours after a meal or 2 to, 2 and a half hours after a snack, whether you are hungry or not.
Assess your hunger level before every meal or snack. Lack of hunger and clarity of mind are signs you are staying in the Zone.
Drink eight 235mL glasses of water a day.
Start every meal or snack with low-fat protein. Next add low glycemic-load carbohydrates (i.e. vegetables and fruits) and good fats (i.e. olive oil).
A typical serving of low-fat protein fits in your palm of your hand.
A typical snack contains 28 grams of protein for both women and men.
PROS
Macro-nutrient split 40:30:30 - good balance of food groups
Regular meals and snacks
A little extra protein & low GI carbs good
Not low fat but focus on healthy fats
CONS
Ridiculous to have to achieve this macronutrient mix at every meal and snack - impossible to do and the meal ideas in the book frequently don't achieve it either!
Silly to eat whether you’re hungry or not - don't eat if you're not hungry
Egg white omelettes - you lose all that fabulous nutrition in the yolk
Not many wholegrains and evidence shows these are linked to good health, particularly gut health
The Six Meals a Day Diet - Angelina Jolie
No more starving yourself, no more feeling hungry, no more "temptations" to snack between meals.
The diet uses portion control instead of calories or fat consumed which means no checking tables of figures or labels on food. We also aim to eat "first principles" food - that is natural foods not processed foods - such as lean meat, fruit, vegetables, milk, bread, pittas and so on.
A portion is the amount of food that would cover the palm of your hand.
Each meal should consist of one portion of protein and one of carbohydrates. Add to this a glass or two of water and 3 or 4 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and that's all there is to the six meals a day diet.
PROS
Frequent eating will stop you getting overly hungry when you are likely to overeat
Nice balance of protein, carb and veggies/fruit at each meal
Focus on natural minimally processed foods
Nothing fad about this one
CONS
In practical terms some may find this difficult - doesn't fit in easily with the working day for many when out and about not always easy to find healthy foods
The Lemon Detox Diet - Beyonce Knowles
The Lemon Detox Diet is a drink consisting of the Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup™, fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper and pure water.
Ideally 6 to 9 glasses a day or whenever you feel hungry. People who are very physically active whilst on the program may increase their daily intake or add more syrup to the mix.
The supposed benefits include, cleansing the body of toxins; weight loss if overweight : 3-6 kg in 10 days; greater resistance to illness; stronger willpower and determination; improved concentration and clarity of thought; less dependence on supplements and drugs; clearer skin and eyes.
5-7 days is the classic version that has been used by thousands of people throughout the world. These versions substitute all solid foods with the Lemon Detox drink. This is the quickest and most effective way to cleanse and rid the body of toxins.
PROS
You will lose weight - but only because it is so low calorie
CONS
Short term therefore no long term solution
No food - hard for most of us to do
The detox idea appeals to us but there is no evidence to suggest this is what goes on - it's just sugar in water - no protein so therefore you will lose muscle as well as fat
To make one glass of the Lemon Detox drink
- One tablespoon (or 20 ml) of Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup™
- One tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (about half a lemon) - Use fresh lemons, not lemon drink or concentrate
- Half a pinch of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Mix the ingredients and dilute with at least 250ml of water
- You may drink the Lemon Detox drink cold, room temperature or warm
The Macrobiotic diet – Madonna
This is a dietary regimen that involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as vegetables and beans, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods.
Macrobiotics also addresses the manner of eating, by recommending against overeating, and requiring that food be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
The guidelines include - well chewed whole cereal grains, especially brown rice: 25-30%; Vegetables: 30-40%; Beans and legumes: 5-10 % ; Miso soup: 5%, traditionally or naturally processed foods: 5-10%.
The remainder is composed of fish and seafood, seeds and nuts, seed and nut butters, seasonings, sweeteners, fruits, and beverages. Other naturally raised animal products may be included if needed during dietary transition or according to individual needs.
Macrobiotic eating follows the principle of balance.
The diet also depends on: the season, the climate, activity, gender, age, health condition and transition in one's diet.
Good foods:
- brown rice, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, chickpea, fish 2 to 3 times a week Choose from non-fatty white Carp, cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, trout red snapper, Blueberries, blackberries, honey dew melon, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon
Foods to use sparingly:
- coffee, regular tea, chocolate, milk, butter, cheese yoghurt, ice cream, chicken, duck, turkey, Red meat: beef, lamb, pork, banana, coconut, dates, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, Artichoke, asparagus, avocado bamboo shots, beets, eggplant, fennel, ginseng green or red pepper, spinach, okra, potato, rhubarb, sweet potato, Muffins, cookies, commercial-pancakes, rice cakes, chips, bake pastries, puffed whole cereals, popcorn, white rice, commercial pasta and bread
PROS
Unrefined wholesome foods
Lots of fibre & plant foods
CONS
Erroneous healthy foods in avoid list (eg fennel)
Low animal foods may make it hard to meet requirements for certain nutrients such as iron & calcium
Not much protein
