The Banana Diet

After taking Japan by storm, the banana diet is becoming a popular approach for Americans trying to lose weight.

What it is: A popular diet in Japan, the banana diet includes a breakfast of only bananas and promises to help you lose weight if you follow the diet closely.

How it works: It is believed that bananas have an enzyme that enhances digestion, as well as a starch that is similar to fiber and has been linked to good digestion, satiety and weight loss.

What you do: Dieters eat only one or two bananas for breakfast with a glass of room temperature water and are then permitted to eat as they like for the remainder of the day. For the remainder of the day, dieters are not permitted to eat dairy, alcohol or desserts. Dieters are allowed a sweet snack in the middle of the afternoon and must stop eating for the day at 8 p.m. to avoid late night snacking.

Benefits: Bananas are a good form of energy and contain beneficial fiber and potassium. In addition, bananas are an inexpensive food and the diet promotes consuming a regular breakfast, which has been shown to improve weight loss.

The Down Side: The banana diet is widely considered a fad diet, as it is likely something a dieter will undertake for only a short period of time. In addition, the diet’s restriction on dairy may be tough for some.