While weight-loss medications have reshaped dieting for many, plenty of celebrities still rely on strict eating plans to stay red-carpet-ready. From raw veganism and high-protein diets to fasting programmes, these regimes range from science-backed to nutritionally questionable.
Click or scroll on to explore 12 celebrity diets, ranked from the healthiest to the most controversial.
We’ve based our ranking on how healthy and sustainable each diet is, as judged by registered nutritionists. This list is unavoidably subjective.
The Mediterranean diet features vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and healthy fats found in olive oil and fish. Moderate wine and natural dairy are included, while red meat and processed foods are eaten just once a week or less. “The Mediterranean diet is one of the best-studied diets in scientific literature," says registered dietitian Tai Ibitoye. It's "associated with better cardiovascular health outcomes, managing type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of some cancers".
While there are downsides – including the high cost of good quality olive oil and fish, and potential weight gain from consuming too many high-calorie healthy fats – overall, it's considered a safe, beneficial diet for most. Spanish actress Penélope Cruz and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot have both confirmed they're fans. “Since I’m from the Middle East, I’m very much all about the Mediterranean Diet," Gadot told Good Housekeeping. "I look at food as fuel, and I want to give the best to my body.”
A plant-based diet spotlights whole foods from plants – vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds – while limiting animal products. It’s flexible: some followers include small amounts of meat, fish or dairy, while others go fully vegan. Benefits include improved heart health, lower risk of chronic disease and environmental sustainability. Clinical studies show a whole-food, plant-based diet can actually reverse heart disease. However, careful planning is needed to avoid nutrient gaps like B12 and iron.
A whole host of celebrities have confirmed they follow a plant-based diet, including actress and singer Ariana Grande, High School Musical star Zac Efron, Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain, former US president Bill Clinton and tennis ace Venus Williams. “I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-round happier person," Ariana told British newspaper The Mirror in 2014. Although she admitted it could be "tricky dining out".
The Perricone diet is an anti-inflammatory eating plan and – while it's similar to the Mediterranean diet – it focuses on promoting weight loss and youthful skin. Created by dermatologist Dr Nicholas Perricone, it incorporates wild salmon, fresh vegetables, low-glycemic fruits, nuts and olive oil, while avoiding sugar, refined carbs and processed foods. Meals begin with protein to curb appetite, while other key components include supplements (up to 27 a day!) and hydration.
Queen Letizia of Spain is widely reported to be a keen follower of the diet, which shows in her glowing complexion and glossy hair. "While this is not for everyone, it does work," Brunilda Nazario, MD of WebMD says. "A diet high in fibre can help keep you full, yet the emphasis on fish as the 'go-to' protein source isn’t easy." Other criticisms include its restrictive nature and the expense – Dr Perricone's Skin & Total Body Plus+ supplement costs $159 (£121) for a two-month supply.
The raw vegan diet combines veganism with raw food principles, focusing on uncooked, unprocessed plant-based foods. Followers eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains, typically avoiding anything heated above 48°C (118°F). Advocates claim it boosts energy, digestion and skin health, while critics warn of nutrient gaps like B12 and iron. It’s popular among wellness influencers and detox enthusiasts, but requires careful planning to meet nutritional needs.
Woody Harrelson has followed a mostly raw vegan diet for over 30 years. “If I have a cooked meal, I feel my energy drop," he told InStyle. "So when I first started shifting my diet, it wasn’t as much a moral or an ethical pursuit but an energetic pursuit.” The True Detective star credits ditching dairy with clearing his skin and boosting his career. Other celebrities who’ve embraced raw veganism include Demi Moore and Sting, who explored it for detox and wellness purposes.
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting, without specifying which foods to eat. Popular methods include 16:8 (fasting for 16 hours, eating within 8) and 5:2 (eating normally five days a week, restricting calories for two). It may support weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. However, it can cause fatigue or irritability, especially while you adjust to this new way of eating.
“Intermittent fasting may not suit everyone," registered dietitian-nutritionist Tamar Samuels told Culina Health. "Potential risks include nutrient deficiencies and disordered eating patterns." One person it certainly does work for is Wolverine and X-Men star Hugh Jackman. “With my diet I go with a 16:8 intermittent fasting regimen, and that really works for me," he told Train Mag. "It’s great for me because when I’m bulking, I don’t want to put on fat, and that regime really does the business."
The macrobiotic diet is a plant-forward lifestyle rooted in Zen philosophy, emphasising balance and whole foods. It prioritises organic, seasonal produce, whole grains, legumes and sea vegetables, while reducing toxins by avoiding processed foods, dairy, meat and artificial additives. Developed by Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa, it also incorporates mindful eating, natural cookware and lifestyle practices. However, though rich in fibre and nutrients, it can be restrictive and lacks strong scientific backing for disease prevention.
Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow famously followed a rigid macrobiotic diet. “During the strict macrobiotic chapter of my life, I ate miso soup every day for breakfast and sometimes with dinner," she wrote in her cookbook, My Father's Daughter. She later told her Goop podcast that she went "hardcore macrobiotic" for a time and that she became "obsessed with eating very, very healthily". The American Institute for Cancer Research warns that the eating plan may result in a low intake of some essential nutrients.
The Sirtfood diet focuses on foods that activate sirtuins – proteins linked to metabolism, inflammation control and ageing. It includes green tea, dark chocolate, kale and red wine, combining these with calorie restriction to promote fat loss while preserving muscle. The plan has two phases over three weeks, starting with seven days of calorie restriction, sirtfood-rich meals and green juice. The second phase spans 14 days, focusing on maintenance with three balanced sirtfood meals daily and continued juicing.
British model Jodie Kidd has said the diet was her 'secret to looking great' and it made her feel 'unstoppable'. However, experts sound a note of caution. “Making these foods the main focus of your diet isn’t realistic, or necessarily the healthiest way to eat," registered dietician Toby Amidor told Forbes Health. Meanwhile, Registered Dietician Emer Delaney says that the diet’s claims about sirtuins and metabolism are intriguing but not fully supported by clinical evidence, according to BBC Good Food.
The Paleo diet emphasises whole, unprocessed foods similar to those eaten by early humans. It includes meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, excluding grains, legumes, potatoes, root vegetables, dairy, refined sugar and processed foods. The goal is to reduce inflammation and improve health by eating in tune with human evolutionary biology. Though it's popular for weight loss and energy, critics note it can be restrictive and lacks long-term research on health outcomes.
Son of legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Osbourne turned to the paleo diet to manage symptoms after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). "Diet is a big thing," he revealed on the Dr Oz Show. "I am a firm believer in 'you are what you eat'. I juice a lot, I try and stick to a Paleo Diet, which is no dairy, no gluten, no grains.” However, some nutritionists question cutting out healthy foods like wholegrains and legumes, while osteoporosis sufferers should consult a doctor before giving up dairy.
The Dukan Diet is a high-protein, low-carb weight loss plan developed by French doctor Pierre Dukan. It includes four phases: Attack, Cruise, Consolidation and Stabilisation. The first two focus on rapid weight loss through lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables, while the latter phases reintroduce foods and maintain results. Although weight loss is likely at first, many regain the pounds over time. The diet's nutritional imbalances could also cause health risks for the liver, bones and kidneys, according to nutritionist Kerry Torrens via BBC Good Food.
The diet became popular after it was widely reported that Catherine Middleton (now the Princess of Wales) and her mother Carole turned to the plan before the royal wedding in 2011. In 2010, Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins revealed to British newspaper The Times that she was following the Dukan diet. "It’s all about finding a balance," she said. "I eat a lot of fish and vegetables, so it works for me, but my weakness is bread and chocolate."
The Atkins Diet is a low-carbohydrate eating plan designed to promote weight loss and improve metabolism. It champions protein and healthy fats while restricting carbs, especially refined sugars and starches. The diet progresses through phases, starting with strict carb limits and gradually reintroducing certain foods. Introduced in the 1970s by Dr Robert Atkins, it hit peak popularity in the early 2000s. It’s praised for rapid results but criticised for sustainability concerns, potential kidney strain due to excessive protein and digestive issues.
Kim Kardashian turned to the Atkins diet following the birth of her daughter North in 2013. "I've actually been doing the Atkins diet & luv it," she revealed on X when addressing the weight loss. It's been widely reported that she turned to the diet again after having her son Saint in 2015, shedding around 60 lbs (27kg). "When I really need to kick it up, then I’ll do low carbs, like the Atkins diet," the reality star told E! News.
The keto diet is a 75-80% fat, very low-carb plan that shifts the body into ketosis, using fat as the body's primary fuel source. It emphasises meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts and oils while limiting carbs, fruit and sugar. Similar to the Atkins diet, keto keeps carb intake consistently low, while Atkins reintroduces carbs over time. The Keto diet "may result in short-term rapid weight loss", according to registered dietitian Olivia Farrow. However, "permanent weight loss... is rare, and participating in restrictive diets often leads to weight regain within one year".
Oscar-winner Halle Berry is the highest-profile celebrity known to follow a keto diet. In 2018, she told Instagram fans that, as a type two diabetic, she'd been following the plan for years. It "forces your body to burn fat like crazy", she wrote. "I also believe it’s been largely responsible for slowing down my ageing process." She cited benefits like "weight loss... appetite control, more energy and better mental performance". However, side effects can include flu-like symptoms, fatigue and dizziness. Like Atkins, too much protein can cause kidney strain.
The Military Diet is a short-term, low-calorie weight loss plan that claims up to 10 pounds (4.5kg) of weight loss in three days. It involves a strict plan of basic foods like toast, tuna, eggs and even ice cream, followed by four days of less restrictive eating. Despite its name, it’s not affiliated with the military. While registered dietitian Kimberly Gomer told The Sun newspaper that the 1,500 daily calorie allowance is "pretty normal" for weight management, she adds there's "no science" behind the supposed fat-burning food combos.
Khloé Kardashian reportedly turned to the Military Diet in 2017 as part of her post-breakup fitness transformation. Media outlets like Daily Mail and Women’s Health linked her rapid weight loss to the diet’s strict meal plan. While Khloé hasn’t publicly confirmed the diet herself, it was widely speculated during her 'Revenge Body' era after she separated from her NBA star husband Lamar Odom, when she spoke about discipline, portion control and quick results before public appearances.
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