The Dangers of Celebrity Diets

And why you shouldn't take nutrition advice from people who aren't qualified

You might have heard something last week about a celebrity sharing part of her "wellness" regimen, which involved barely eating and relying on IVs, likely because very little energy or nutrition was coming from food. This was shared on a podcast with her "doctor," who is not actually a licensed medical practitioner. 

If you heard about it, you might have wondered about her regimen, and you might have even thought about incorporating intermittent fasting or a diet of bone broth and vegetables to help your own health or weight loss journey.  

Please. Don't.

Here's why: 

1. Extremely restrictive diets are often unhealthy. 

Physically unhealthy, because you're depriving your body of the nutrients and energy it needs to function optimally, and often mentally unhealthy. Our society normalizes extreme dieting and obsessing over food and weight, but those are actually among symptoms of disordered eating. 

In rare situations where restrictive diets may by recommended -- managing health conditions or illnesses, for example -- it should only be done under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

(This particular regimen was later defended as part of a "treatment" for long Covid. Keep in mind the celebrity's "doctor" is not a registered dietitian; he is a chiropractor with training in functional medicine, which is not the same as a medical or nutrition degree, and he also conveniently sells books on the type of fasting described in the interview.)


2. Short-term restriction *might* lead to short-term weight loss, but the key there is "short-term."

In a society that expects everything to happen with Amazon Prime speed, people have been conditioned to get what they want fast. That includes changes to weight and body composition. 

Extreme short-term restriction can result in the scale dropping rapidly, but that pace can't last. The human body is incredibly intuitive, and it responds to a drastic cut in available energy (reminder: food and calories = energy) by adjusting its metabolic processes so it can get by with less. This metabolic adaptation means the body becomes less efficient at burning fat, which slows down and eventually stalls fat loss. 


3. Extreme restriction can cause people to consume even more calories later and regain any lost weight. 

People usually get real hungry when they haven't eaten in awhile…unless maybe they have lots of money to pump vitamins into their bloodstream instead of eating actual food, I guess. 🙄

One of the most common themes I hear from clients is something along the lines of "I do so well all day but I can't stop eating at night." Often, they're not eating enough during the day, and their nighttime cravings are their body's way of telling them they need more food! 

Any diet that significantly curtails intake to the point you are often extremely hungry or experiencing massive cravings is not healthy or sustainable. 


4. Celebrities are not experts in nutrition, and they're often not focused on health and well-being. 

The fact that a celebrity did something does not make it a smart idea. If you've followed any celebrity news ever, that probably goes without saying. Many celebrities rely on their appearance for their livelihood, and many of them take extreme measures (with and without professional guidance) to ensure they look a certain way for a specific event or job. 

Celebrities are not normal people, with regular jobs and regular paychecks. And in fact, many of them draw hefty paychecks and have created massively profitable business empires from promoting certain practitioners, treatments, products, and supplements. They benefit when you buy, and they do not care if it actually works or benefits you — they’re getting paid either way.  


Instead of a restrictive diet or intermittent fasting or the latest celebrity trend...

• Focus on consuming more protein and vegetables and fewer processed or fast foods. (Bone broth does contain protein, but it's not a full meal, and many varieties are high in sodium.)

• Drink enough water.

• Get adequate sleep -- non-negotiable! This affects hormone levels and plays a role in metabolic health. 

• Move your body. Doesn't have to be an intense gym session. Doesn't even have to be "a workout." Just move more often. 

• Stick with your basics, because consistency over a long period of time will always get you further than going all out for a few days or weeks. 

Need help? Email coachjustineh@gmail.com and follow me on Instagram @jchcoaching for more fitness and nutrition tips!