Japan's new banana diet plan isn't exactly new, although the diet continues to make the rounds on the Internet and through word-of-mouth. In late 2008, the Morning Banana Diet prompted Japanese dieters to flock to supermarkets to purchase the slim, yellow fruit in great quantities, leading to a banana shortage in the country. However, Japan's banana diet is a fad diet -- and a fad diet isn't likely to give you the weight loss results you want.
Background
In October 2008, "Time" magazine published an article about Japan's new banana diet. The Morning Banana Diet was developed by Sumiko Watanabe, an Osaka pharmacist who created the purported metabolism-boosting diet to help her overweight husband lose 35 lbs. The results were posted on a popular social networking website, where the diet got more attention. However, the Morning Banana Diet really took off after a popular Japanese singer talked about losing weight on the diet on a TV program. According to the "Time" article, the subsequent run on bananas prompted an 80 percent increase in weekly sales in one major supermarket chain.
Diet
The Morning Banana Diet doesn't involve calorie counting or portion control. You can eat as many bananas as you want for breakfast, along with warm water. You're permitted to eat whatever you want for lunch and dinner, and you're also allowed to eat an afternoon snack that can consist of anything, even a dessert. You cannot, however, eat after 8 p.m., and you must go to bed before midnight.
Concerns
CBS News aired a segment on the banana diet in February 2009. "Early Show" contributor Kerri Glassman, a registered dietitian, described Japan's new diet craze as "crazy," adding it was a "recipe for disaster for most people." An individual who's accustomed to eating a relatively healthy diet could easily gain weight on the diet because it's so permissive, allowing dieters to eat any food in any portion size after breakfast. Furthermore, as the American Council on Exercise points out, it's not when you eat your meals, but how many calories you consume during the course of the day that makes a difference. A medium-size banana has around 100 calories. However, if you have three bananas for breakfast, coupled with a large double cheeseburger with a large side of fries from a fast food restaurant later, you could pack on 1,750 calories for lunch. A 37-year-old, 6-foot-6 woman who leads an inactive lifestyle could eventually top the scale at 220 lbs. from the 2,050 calories she gets from breakfast and lunch alone.
Smart Solutions
The U.S. has embraced fad diets that promote grapefruit, lemonade and cabbage soup as miraculous metabolism-boosting foods. According to "Time" magazine, Japan has had a past fascination with baby formula, carrot juice and fermented soybeans. The American Dietetic Association advises you to ignore fad diets, which often focus on one special food that's eaten regularly, assure you that you'll lose weight fast and use anecdotal evidence to convince you of its merits. The best way to lose weight is to cut calories and get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise a day. Use the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as your guide, and focus on eating more fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. One pound of body fat is equal to 3,500 calories; if you shave 500 calories from your diet every day, you should lose about 1 lb. per week.
References
- "Time" Magazine; "Japan Goes Bananas for New Diet"; E. Sugito; October 2008
- CBSNews.com; "Banana Diet "Recipe For Disaster" For Most"; February 2009
- American Dietetic Association: How Can I Spot a Fad Diet?
- American Dietetic Association: Beware the Fad Diet
- MayoClinic.com: 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- American Council on Exercise: Diet Myths Debunked
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