The Most Popular Celebrity Diets

Celebrities are well-known for their strict diet and workout regimens in preparation for acting roles and red-carpet events. Many celebrities have admitted to following a particular diet regimen for either the short or long term to achieve a lean and toned body. Remember that healthy weight loss comes down to following a healthy diet plan combined with regular physical activity. Consult with a physician prior to initiating any new dietary regimen, whether endorsed by a celebrity or not.

The Master Cleanse

The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, increased in popularity with its use by celebs such as David Blaine and Robin Quivers. Most notably, Beyonce Knowles revealed she used it to lose weight for her role in the movie "Dreamgirls" in 2006. This fasting diet involves drinking a mix of purified water with lemon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup for a minimum of 10 days. Although weight loss is inevitable, it stems from severe caloric restriction. This diet carries health risks, including dehydration, nausea, vomiting and metabolic acidosis.

Jenny Craig

Numerous celebs have followed the Jenny Craig Diet, including Kirstie Alley, who lost 75 pounds on this plan and then gained most of it back later. Valerie Bertinelli has had the most recent success with this diet plan, losing more than 45 pounds to date. The Jenny Craig plan centers around pre-packaged meal plans that are portion-controlled and low in calories. The plan may be expensive for some people, however, and it may be difficult to transition into life-long healthy habits when not consuming the prepared meals.

Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet that has been predominant in the diet industry for decades. Some celebs have endorsed it, including Courtney Thorne-Smith from both "Ally McBeal" and "According to Jim" fame. This plan eliminates most carbs from the diet, including fruits and starchy vegetables, in favor of high-protein and fattier fare such as bacon, eggs, meat and butter. Although it is possible to lose a large amount of weight on this diet, long-term results are varied due to difficulty adhering to a life without energy-forming carbs. Diets high in saturated fat also increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Zone Diet

The Zone Diet, created by Dr. Barry Sears, has been a well-known weight-loss method used by many celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Demi Moore. This plan centers around a 40-30-30 approach, in which dieters eat 40 percent of their daily caloric intake from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat. Sears attributes much of the diet's success to the intake of essential amino acids and fatty acids that help control the appetite and burn fat more quickly.