What is the Boiled Egg Diet, does it work and are there any celebrity success stories?
People claim that they've lost over a stone by eating a special meal plan made up mostly of boiled eggs
PEOPLE will do anything to lose weight - including forcing down SIX eggs a day.
Here we look at the origins and science behind the boiled egg diet - and if it actually works.
What is the boiled egg diet?
The boiled egg diet is a one week meal plan where most of the calories consumed come from eggs.
The diet originally insisted that the eggs were boiled as they have the least calories, but newer interpretations are more flexible.
Was it invented by the Royal Marines?
The boiled egg diet was once known as the Royal Marine Commando Egg Diet, but the Marines have since tried to distance themselves from it.
They gave a statement to - the creator of the modern day version of the strict diet - saying: "We (Royal Marine Commando) do NOT endorse this diet.
"Anyone linking this diet to Royal Marine training or preparation for Royal Marines training are being misled.
"We recommend a healthy balanced diet. RM Recruits are fed 4 meals a day which consists of a balance of protein, carbs, veg and fruit."
What is the boiled egg diet meal plan?
Motley Health claim dieters can cook the eggs however they wish. They can only drink black tea, coffee, water or lemon juice.
Day 1
- Breakfast 3 eggs
- Lunch 3 eggs
- Dinner 3 eggs
Day 2
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- Fresh fruit salad
- Steak, Tomatoes, Celery and cottage cheese
Day 3
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- Fish, Tomatoes, spinach and Salad
- Lean Lamb chops, tomatoes and salad
Day 4
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- Green salad and tomatoes
- 3 eggs and dried toast
Day 5
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- Fish, Tomatoes, and Salad
- Lean ham salad, tomatoes and spinach
Day 6
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- 3 eggs dried toast
- Steak Celery, tomatoes and cottage cheese
Day 7
- 1 egg or grapefruit
- Fresh fruit salad
- Lean lamb chops, salad and tomatoes
What celebrities have done the boiled egg diet?
Art dealer Charles Saatchi lost four stone in nine months by ONLY eating eggs.
His then wife Nigella Lawson revealed that he snubbed her professional cooking for the bland meal plan of nine eggs a day.
In a 2008 , she said: "For nine months, he ate three eggs for breakfast, three eggs for lunch and three eggs for supper.
"The doctor said to me, 'It's neck and neck whether Charles keels over or loses the weight first'. But it was easier for him than engaging in the whole business of food.
"Being on diets is not the way to happiness but I know that if you get above a certain weight and you're not comfortable, then whatever people say - and I completely loved him and didn't need him to be thinner - you're not happy with how you are."
More diet and nutrition stories
How much weight can you lose on the boiled egg diet?
Expected results vary depending on what version of the diet you follow .
Some plans will help shift 5 lbs, others claim a stone or more.
It all depends on how much weight you have to lose to start with, how strict you are and how long you manage to follow the plan.
What are the dangers of the boiled egg diet?
Eating dozens of eggs a week can cause a raise in cholesterol levels.
The lack of fibre in the eggs can also cause bad side effects including belching, bad breath, flatulence and constipation.