"Transformers" star
Megan Fox is the latest to join the list of celebrity
fad dieters. Recently, the Herald Sun reported that her stay-slim plan, à
la Fergie, consists of detoxing with
vinegar shots -- straight up -- to lose weight.
Fox said that the vinegar detox diet "cleanses out your system entirely," and claims it rids her body of
water weight associated with menstruation. "I'm not one for dieting or exercising, because I'm lazy and I have a really big sweet tooth, so I have to do cleanses every once in a while 'cause of the amount of sugar I take in."
Of course, fad diets are nothing new, particularly for young female celebrities. While
Oprah's been known
to do a cleanse every once in a while, late last year
Denise Richards,
Jennifer Hudson and
Kelly Clarkson reportedly
jumped on The Cookie Diet bandwagon.
But as Fox promotes her unrealistic -- and unhealthy -- weight-loss plan, health experts are dismissing the claims and insisting that vinegar isn't the solution. In addition to zero health benefits, Washington, D.C.-based Katherine Tallmadge, registered dietitian and author of "
Diet Simple," said that these types of cleansing diets are "all silliness and potentially dangerous. I'm happy to know that eating sensibly is being espoused and that people realize that a fad diet is not the way to go."
While experts are taking a firm stand now, vinegar's powers weren't so quickly debunked back in July when That's Fit reported
on the results of a Japanese study that said vinegar may be able to suppress body fat accumulation. Besides the preliminary nature of these findings, the study hasn't yet been tested on humans. Registered dietitian Keri Gans's take on the subject is that using vinegar is a healthy, low-calorie way of cooking, but tossing back a glass
isn't the way to lose weight for the long haul.
Like most experts, Tallmadge agreed that it's the small, simple diet changes that take the weight off. Speaking to Fox's point of reducing water retention, she says that key is "eating more natural foods and fewer processed, high sodium foods." In addition, she recommended "consuming fewer processed carbs, such as foods made with white flour and sugar, and foods with naturally
high fiber and
water content such as fruits, veggies and whole grains."
Megan Fox is not the only celebrity to tout questionable diets. Click on the gallery below to see why many stars are cautionary examples when it comes to weight loss.
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Unhealthy Celeb Diets
It's no surprise that skipping meals is one extreme way some celebs lose weight. But the article claims that Paris Hilton starves herself because she was once spotted in a Manhattan restaurant drinking
Red Bull and water instead of ordering a meal. We'd love to see Paris gain some weight, but skipping a meal does not equal a pattern of starvation. Bottom line: Extreme calorie-cutting may work in the short-term but sending your body into starvation mode usually means overeating (and weight gain) is just around the corner.
John Parra, WireImage.com
Getty Images North America
It's no surprise that skipping meals is one extreme way some celebs lose weight. But the article claims that Paris Hilton starves herself because she was once spotted in a Manhattan restaurant drinking Red Bull and water instead of ordering a meal. We'd love to see Paris gain some weight, but skipping a meal does not equal a pattern of starvation. Bottom line: Extreme calorie-cutting may work in the short-term but sending your body into starvation mode usually means overeating (and weight gain) is just around the corner.
John Parra, WireImage.com
Britney Spears gets called out for taking Adderall, a drug used in treating attention-deficit disorder. Adderall abuse is certainly on the rise and one reason is its side effect, loss of appetite. Because the drug can act as an appetite suppressant and Britney takes it, the article concluded she uses it as a diet aid. Bottom line: Take prescription drugs as directed by your doctor. Why? Adderall's other side effects include addiction, depression and psychosis.
Toby Canham, Getty Images
Mary-Kate Olsen gets a smackdown for her coffee-habit. The article claims Hollywood is in the grips of a trend where stars drink the caffeinated stuff to boost metabolism and suppress appetite. while Mary-Kate is often photographed with coffee, we're not sure how much she consumes or how it figures into her weight control. Peterson's scary story about a starving star who drinks coffee instead of eating has nothing to do with Mary-Kate. Bottom line: While drinking coffee can result in a slight metabolism increase, you'd get a better boost (and fewer jitters) from exercising more and cutting a few calories from your diet.
Marcel Thomas, FilmMagic.com
Once photographed jogging with weights in both hands, Teri Hatcher is labeled an overexerciser. We're in total agreement that this TV star is borderline skeletal and that running with weights is a no-no, but the since we didn't talk to her (and neither did their reporter), we can't comment on whether her exercise routine is unhealthy or not. We do know that we'd like her to put on a few pounds. Bottom line: Exercise is key for weight control and overall health, but when it rises to the level of obsession -- an increasing problem -- it's time to seek professional help.
Eric Charbonneau, WireImage.com
Jared Leto is on the list for using the Master Cleanse to lose the weight he gained to play Mark Chapman in the new film "Chapter 27." Peterson tells a horror story about a client (not Leto) who got sick using the juice fast. We don't disagree that the diet is sketchy; if used for more than a few days, it can be outright dangerous. Bottom line: Liquid diets should only be used when under a doctor's care.
Steve Granitz, WireImage.com
Marcia Cross has been very honest about the pressure in Hollywood to be thin, and was recently quoted saying, "It's like they pay me not to eat." Maybe that's why she was spotted by an "insider" drinking juice in a restaurant while her husband ate a full meal. Bottom line: Many celebrities may feel their jobs rest on how they look, but a lot of stars aren't going to diet extremes. Need inspiration? Look to the celebs losing weight the right way.
Charley Galla, WireImage.com
The fact that Lindsay Lohan was found in possession of cocaine doesn't mean she's thin because of drug use as the 'Daily News' would like you to think. We certainly can't make a case for Lohan being a responsible person with good judgment considering her recent trouble with the law but we won't jump to conclusions about how she maintains her weight. Bottom line: Using drugs won't necessarily make you thin. It's never a good idea to use any illegal substances.
Tony Barson, WireImage.com
Read more about the
worst diets of the decade!
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