Famous celebrity diets ranked from healthiest to most questionable

The best and worst celebrity diets

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 programes, 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.

12. Mediterranean diet

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."

12. Who follows a Mediterranean diet?

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.”

11. Plant-based diet

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. 

11. Who follows a plant-based diet?

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".

10. Perricone diet

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.

10. Who follows the Perricone diet?

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 fiber 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 for a two-month supply. 

9. Raw vegan diet

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.

9. Who follows a raw vegan diet?

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.

8. Intermittent fasting

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.

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8. Who follows intermittent fasting?

“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."

7. Macrobiotic diet

The macrobiotic diet is a plant-forward lifestyle rooted in Zen philosophy, emphasizing balance and whole foods. It prioritizes 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 fiber and nutrients, it can be restrictive and lacks strong scientific backing for disease prevention.

7. Who follows a macrobiotic diet?

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.

6. Sirtfood diet

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.

6. Who follows the sirtfood diet?

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.

5. Paleo diet

The Paleo diet emphasizes 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.

5. Who follows the paleo diet?

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.

4. Dukan diet

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 Stabilization. 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.

4. Who follows the Dukan diet?

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." 

3. Atkins diet

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 criticized for sustainability concerns, potential kidney strain due to excessive protein, and digestive issues.

3. Who follows the Atkins diet?

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. 

2. Keto diet

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 emphasizes 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".

2. Who follows the keto diet?

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.

1. Military diet

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.

1. Who follows the military diet?

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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