Celebrity Diets: The Truth Behind the Secrets

Suzanne Somers. Marilu Henner. Dr. Phil. Sylvester Stallone. You name the celebrity and odds are they've got a diet program complete with a book, a DVD, infomercial, and maybe even a line of supplements. And those that don't have their own diet, yet, may be outspoken advocates of the latest and greatest in fad diets from South Beach and Atkins to the new Hamptons diet.

But just because they can act, sing, and look glamorous and buff as they stroll down a red carpet, doesn't necessarily mean they have a PhD in nutrition.

"Just because someone is a celebrity doesn't mean they know what they are talking about in terms of diet and health," says Samantha Heller, MS, RD, senior clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist at the New York University Medical Center in New York City. Acting advice can certainly come from celebrities, but nutrition advice should come from a health care professional such as a registered dietician.

When browsing the book store or otherwise choosing a diet, look for the author's credentials like an MD (medical doctor) or RD (registered dietitian), or if it's someone with a PhD, find out what its in, it could be in history -- not anything pertaining to health or nutrition, Heller says.

Read the author biography to see if this person has clinical experience. "Where did he or she work? Did he or she ever have real world experience with real patients?" Heller suggests.

"Celebrity plans have a tendency to promote a very quick fix, are hard to stick by and are touting all types of products and when the author doesn't have a degree in health, it can be very scary," agrees Rachel Beller, director of the Brander Nutritional Oncology Counseling and Research Program at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

Red Flags Abound

Regardless, these books and diets are often tempting and tantalizing to consumers. Being on the lookout for certain red flags can help separate the wheat from the chafe.

"A red flag is when they are selling food products and supplements that go with the program," Heller explains. "A red flag can be a personal red flag because sometimes these diets can be very expensive and not everyone can afford these foods or are these foods available in every neighborhood," she says.

In other words, watch Dr. Phil on his talk show or Suzanne Sommers on Three's Company reruns, but when looking for a healthy eating plan, look for one that includes foods you can afford and are readily available.

"A lot of the celebrities look fabulous," Heller says, "but they are being paid a lot of money to look that good and they can afford to have a personal chef and meals delivered.