Imagine a diet that created a shortage of bananas in Japan, and you have imagined the morning banana diet. Created in Japan by a married couple who are both pharmacists, the banana diet is a relatively cheap and easy to follow diet plan that focuses on the banana as the “miracle ingredient” that produces weight loss when the diet plan is correctly followed.

Guidelines for Dieters: The morning banana diet was an instant success after it was distributed via a social networking site in Japan. The plan is simple. The day commences with a breakfast containing as many bananas as the dieter needs to feel comfortably full. Nothing else should be eaten until at least a half hour later. Lunch and dinner have no specific requirements except that dinner must be eaten 4 hours before bedtime. Bedtime must be no later than midnight (12:00am).

A little fruit is permitted after dinner if required. Dieters are encouraged to eat something sweet or savory around 3pm in the afternoon, and exercise is encouraged but not required. Water is permitted while eating meals, but the dieter is encouraged to eat and drink slowly. The optimum feeling of fullness is approximately 80% and once a dieter feels satisfied but not overly full, they are encouraged to stop.

Rationale and Nutritional Basis of Diet: The rationale behind such a simple diet plan is based on the nutrients found in the bananas, and the required times to eat other foods. The couple who created the diet, whilst not having nutrition qualifications, based their rationale on readily available research and this is arguably the reason for the initial success of morning banana diet.

Bananas are known to be high in fiber and digestive enzymes, both of which assist digestion and leave a feeling of fullness for an extended period. The regularly spaced meal times and the requirement of a regular bedtime have been demonstrated to both increase metabolism and reduce excessive feelings of hunger.

Research and Reviews about the Diet: With research and the supported rationale behind the morning banana diet, the question of whether the diet really works remains. Most nutrition experts have said that despite the initial success some people have achieved on the diet, it is more likely the reduced fruit calorie intake and improved life style choices that contribute to weight loss. People like Japanese opera singer Kumiko Mori who made the diet famous when she announced she had lost 15 pounds while on the diet, would say it does work. When this diet first became popular, bananas were in short supply in Japan as the population used the fad diet as their main approach to weight loss.

However, many nutritionists suggest that the gimmicky nature of the diet mean the initial weight loss is rapid, but that the potential to regain weight is high. The morning banana diet however provides some instruction in good eating habits, the nutritional advice is not contradictory with available research, and those who choose to follow the diet will potentially lose weight safely.