Hollywood Diet Plan

The Hollywood Diet claims users can lose five to 15 pounds in 48 hours. While this has proven to be true, questions about the diet's long-term (or even short-term) benefits and overall success remain.

How It Works

Followers of the Hollywood Diet must refrain from eating solid food. Nor are they allowed to drink alcohol or caffeine, or smoke. Instead, their lone source of calories comes from a "specially formulated" Miracle Juice drink that is said to have 100 percent of the daily nutrients your body needs. The juice drink purchased by people on the Hollywood Diet provides just 500 calories a day, which is well short of the 1,500 to 2,000 calories the average healthy person consumes. So it's no surprise dieters often feel very hungry during the 48-hour period during which the Hollywood Diet is supposed to last.

Weighty Issue

While disciples of the Hollywood Diet have reported quick weight loss, experts have said the plan is the equivalent of fasting, and that most of the weight that comes off is a combination of water and toxins, and not unhealthy fat. On the plus side, many doctors agree with the idea that a once-in-a-great-while fast isn't a bad idea.

Costs

Hollywood Diet Miracle Juice is available in 16- and 32-ounce bottles. Costs vary depending on how much juice you would like to purchase: A four-pack of the 32-ounce bottles costs $79.80, while a two-pack is $39 and a six-pack $119.70. Single 32-ounce bottles are available for $19.95 apiece. As for the 16-ounce bottles, prices are as follows: $51.80 for a four-pack; $77.70 for a six-pack; $144.95 for a 12-pack; and $199.95 for a 12-pack. Also, single 16-ounce bottles are available for $12.95 each. (Prices effective as of August 2009)

Healthier Alternative

Another diet that's growing in popularity among celebrities (there's no evidence the Hollywood Diet is actually used by anyone in Hollywood), is considered to be significantly healthier and less expensive than the juice drink, and you can obtain it at your local grocery story. It consists of four oranges a day, unlimited (and uncooked) green vegetables, and a 10-ounce serving of protein a day--as well as six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water. Users of this diet are also allowed to add flavor to their foods with spices and low-fat dressings. While this unnamed diet takes about a week to notice the type of weight loss the Hollywood Diet promises in two days, the weight is said to stay off longer, assuming followers of the plan continue to make healthy choices.