Banana Diet Plan - Steps For Weight Loss That Are Easy To Follow

New Diet Takes Japan by Storm

A unique diet gaining popularity in Japan is the stress-free weight loss plan, called the Morning Banana Diet. The Banana Diet is perhaps the world's most effortless diet to stick to, except in Japan due to a banana shortage resulting from the popularity of this diet.

Dole Company in Japan has needed to escalate banana imports to Japan by a whopping 25% compared to the same period last year. And even with the increased distribution throughout Japan, grocers are still struggling to meet demand.

The decrease in supply has caused banana prices to soar to new levels. Even so, with more and more celebrity endorsements of the Banana Diet and more than 600,000 copies of diet books sold in Japan, increased demand for the fruit shows no imminent sign of slowing.

How does the Banana Diet Work?

The discipline requires dieters to begin the day with a raw banana and one glass of room-temperature water. Afterwards, the dieter is free to eat whatever they want for the remainder of the day, with the exception of sugary sweets. Desserts with meals are not allowed and only one snack in the mid-afternoon is permitted. Alcoholic drinks are discouraged and early dinners before 8 o'clock pm are recommended. The plan also encourages plenty of rest because plenty of sleep is believed to increase metabolism and reduce stress.

Exercise and the Morning Banana Diet

The approach to exercise is probably the most appealing part of this diet. The Banana Diet does not strictly encourage exercise, unless the dieter prefers, and then recommends that the dieter exert himself or herself in the least stressful way possible.

Steps of the Morning Banana Diet

1. Eat a banana and lukewarm glass of water for breakfast.
2. Eat anything you like (within reason) for lunch or dinner, as long as it's before eight o'clock p.m.
3. A three o'clock, a snack is recommended - but nothing too sugary.
4. No desserts recommended after meals.
5. Get plenty of rest.

Morning Banana Diet Books

Since the release of the book detailing this new diet, the Morning Banana Diet books have sold more than 730,000 copies. A popular TV personality appeared and told of her experience with the diet. She lost fifteen pounds in only six weeks on the diet, and the following day, there was a banana shortage across stores in Japan, according to Japanese publications.

Banana Shortages in Japan

Japanese women, many in their twenties, thirties and forties are shopping for bananas in their local grocery stores, but few are able to find any. The demand is astronomical and few bananas are available recently in Japan because Japan is the origination spot for the Morning Banana Diet.

The popularity of this diet is sweeping Japanese women by storm. At a time when weight loss is so important to young women, some women that weigh merely one hundred pounds have been seen scouring markets in nearby towns for bananas, even though their weight is already so low. The impulse to lose excessive weight due to this craze has some researchers worried about women's health.

The elevated popularity of the banana has resulted in sales mounting by as much as 70 per cent in the past week alone in some supermarkets, influencing prices such that they have increased causing importers to purchase more of the fruit, leading to the shortage.

A spokesperson for the Dole Japan Company said that this is the first time in recent history that bananas have been so hard to find in the region.

Researchers Probe Sudden Weight Loss Trend in Japan

So why do young women feel the need to diet and lose more than even before? Researchers pinpoint the influx of diet-crazed teenagers and the growing trend among Japanese women to satisfy weight loss and body image goals due to mass media publications that display overly thin models.

Dieting trends are growing more and more popular in Japan and women are subjecting their bodies to excessive dieting in order to adhere to the beauty image that they see in magazines and movies. These diet-crazed women have perceived body image as adherently important to self-esteem and thin females are perceived as being more beautiful than heavier women. Japanese teens are desperate to satisfy the weight loss need.

The Morning Banana Diet has had positive feedback in recent months, causing more and more popularity among young Japanese women.

History of the Banana Diet

The banana mania started in March of this year with the announcement of Morning Banana Diet, which claimed that by consuming only bananas and room temperature water for breakfast, one could lose weight regardless of what is eaten the rest of the day.

Proponents of the diet love it for its straightforward approach to busy women's lives and dieting, plus the reported success.

Consult a Professional

As with any diet plan, including the Morning Banana Diet plan, it is recommended that you consult a health care professional before embarking on a new diet plan.

Celebrity Diet Plans that Work! How do Oprah, Jennifer Aniston and Madonna Lose Weight and Stay Trim?

Many of us have diet plans that work and have managed to lose weight and stay trim, while many of us battle to lose weight every single day. Learn how to lose weight from celebrities like Oprah, Jennifer Aniston and Madonna and familiarize yourself with their diet plans.

With all eyes watching, Oprah has had to battle her weight for years. But according to celebrity blogs, she has found a diet that is successful. With the help of trainer Bob Greene, Oprah found a diet that works for her. She consumes a diet rich in lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and also limits her alcohol consumption, refined carbohydrates and sugar. Oprah also won't eat close to bedtime. She is a beautiful woman that has managed to lose weight and keep it off.

Here, the popular TV presenter, Oprah Winfrey, arrives at the dinner in honor of Nelson Mandela, celebrating his 90th birthday, at Hyde Park on June 25, 2008 in London, England. The dinner will raise funds for Madiba's global charity projects, The Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664.

Many of us are curious how Jennifer Aniston stays so slim. Every time we see Jennifer, she looks more lean. When Jennifer Aniston starred on the popular show 'Friends,' she had reportedly turned to the Zone Diet. On this diet plan, Jennifer Aniston would set a goal to have a diet that consisted of only 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat. According go the Zone's founder, this ratio will increase the efficiency of a person's metabolism.

Here, actress Jennifer Aniston arrives at the party to celebrate 'The Circle' and 'Welcome To Your Crisis' author Laura Day at ONE Sunset restaurant on June 19, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.

Its no secret that pop-shock icon, Madonna, has managed to stay fit and trim into her fifth decade. And for someone that is a busy Mom with three children and a career that reaches nearly every continent, many people have questioned how a celebrity with such magnitude as Madonna can manage to stay so trim and fit? What diet does Madonna follow?

In addition to rigorous daily workouts, Madonna upholds a strict macrobiotic diet, which supports the idea that food not only affects health, but also has a direct impact on a person's well being, and happiness. The Madonna diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods and is low in fat, high in fiber and rich in vegetables and soy.

Here, the pop-icon, Madonna, performs onstage during her 'Sticky and Sweet Tour' held at Wembley Stadium, on September 11, 2008 in London, England.

For further reading about diet, celebrities and Hollywood news:

• Celebrity Gossip Blog
• Celebrity Diet and Fitness.

The Divorce Diet Melts Off the Pounds

From a scientific point of view, the Divorce Diet seems unlikely to aid in a person’s weight loss goal for the simple reason that it can be an unhealthy way to lose weight, but many researchers are debating that theory and state that the Divorce Diet is a foolproof way to lose pounds and re-gain one’s healthy weight.

What is the Divorce Diet?

Survivors of a painful divorce know it all too well. The stress of going through a painful divorce causes people to lose a lot of weight, and fast. Yes, this diet works. There is no doubt about it, but there is also no doubt that this diet strategy is painful. The stress that accompanies a painful divorce is heart wrenching. But a sudden drop in pounds with very little effort accompanies it.

According to James Harris, who is a psychologist and the current managing director of the Eating Disorder Program at the notable Presbyterian Hospital located in Dallas, Texas, "There's no magic in it …a person going through trauma like divorce is often burning off more calories” and at the see time “eating less calories and that makes weight come off quickly.”

Why Do People Lose Weight During Divorce?

The reason people come into this position is stress. A leading professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Daniela Schreier, states that divorce is at the top of the list of one of the most stressful life events people go through. Dr. Schreier also noticed a trend in divorcing clients who drop large quantities of weight quickly. Dr. Schreier notes that this usually occurs during the preliminary shock period of the healing cycle of divorce - when people demonstrate symptoms of "acute stress syndrome" after their spouse or partner seeks a divorce or divulges an affair.

Stress and Weight Loss

Survivors of the divorce diet state that stress dissolves away the pounds in a way that worked like no previous starvation diet ever could. These veterans comment that it goes well beyond the usual theory of calories in and calories out.

Thorina Rose, who is a graphics designer in San Francisco, said it happened almost within days after learning of her husband’s affair with another women. Ms. Rose was already petite but after going through her divorce she quickly lost twenty pounds with no effort. Ms. Rose decided to keep a journal of her painful divorce and published it in "The Heartbreak Diet", a memoir of the harrowing experience.

Failing to Eat

Maybe people fail to remember meals because they are preoccupied dealing with the issues of the divorce. Maybe it is because they are busy making arrangements for their new life. Whatever it is, many divorce survivors state that they merely forgot to eat. And sleep is affected too. With little sleep, few meals and excessive stress, the body’s metabolism is affected.

Not All Divorcees Lose Weight

Not all people lose weight during divorce, however. Dr. Schreier commented that some people actually have the contradictory reaction. For these people, food actually becomes an origin for comfort and because of it, they can gain weight.

The acute stress of divorce can trigger eating disorders and weight extremes such as weight loss, and then sudden and unhealthy weight gain.

Exercise Can Help

Assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Lona Sandon, stated that exercise could become a lifesaver for many people. "It can energize you, relax you, and ease stress and depression," Ms. Sandon said.

The key to long lasting weight loss, however, is slow weight loss. And the good news is that neither Dr. Harris nor Ms. Sandon regards the divorce diet and its accompanying quick weight loss as a serious health hazard.

And for those that are going through the difficult time of a divorce and heartbreak, the "divorce diet" gifts the sufferer with a notable consolation prize after the demise of their relationship.

As Ms. Rose puts it, "I felt miserable. But I looked hot."