Justin Gelband trains some of the most famous Victoria's Secret models, including Candice Swanepoel. Photo / Getty Images
Justin Gelband trains some of the most famous Victoria's Secret models, including Candice Swanepoel. Photo / Getty Images
By Claudia Tanner
With so many diet trends around - including Paleo, Atkins, Dukan and Ketogenic - it can be hard to decipher which are good for you.
Now celebrity trainer Justin Gelband has revealed his expert take on what does work and what doesn't.
The New York-based fitness fanatic trains some of the most famous Victoria's Secret models, including Candice Swanepoel, Irina Shaik, Karlie Kloss, Erin Heatherton and Martha Hunt, the Daily Mail reported.
He has revealed he is a huge fan of the controversial Paleo, or "caveman" diet which is low-carb and high fat.
Personal trainer Justin Gelband with Candie Swanepoel (left) and Erin Heatherton (right). Photo / Instagram / vsangelsjustinb
He also blasted so-called juice detoxes and argued they do not work as a method to shed pounds.
Celebrity fans of liquid diets include model Lottie Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Firstly, Gelband said it's important to understand that although exercise is important to the regimes of his model clients, maintaining a healthy weight is not just about exercise.
The diet is based on eating foods thought to be available to our ancestors during the Paleolithic era, before the advent of dairy or processed grains - and has its advocates and critics.
Celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Biel are reportedly fans.
Dairy Milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, milk and white chocolate Grains Bread, pasta, rice, wheat, spelt, rye, barley Processed food Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, donuts, breakfast cereals, chips Processed sugar Soda, fruit juice, table sugar, candy, cake, ice cream Legumes Beans, lentils etc Alcohol Unless it's distilled liquor - but no mixers
He told Business Insider, "85 per cent of what you do is what you eat", echoing the the old adage "abs are made in the kitchen".
Juicing is not for weight loss
Despite juicing having become a big heath trend in recent years, Gelband is adamant that he does not recommend it.
"At fashion week some models went on a juice diet and didn't tell me," he revealed.
"Not one lost weight, some actually gained weight. That got me in big trouble."
Devotees insist fruit and vegetable juice diets give results quickly, are easier to follow than traditional calorie-counting methods and can even boost mood and energy levels.
But Gelband is not the first health professional to criticise the fad. Experts warn that not only do liquid diets lack vital nutrients, they can cause a range of health problems, from tooth decay to diabetes, migraines, dry skin and fainting spells - and even lead to weight gain and obesity in the long run.
Due to such an intense calorie restriction, it is argued that the metabolism will slow down dramatically, sending the body into starvation mode. It will then cling on to every calorie and actually cause weight gain.
"There's a time and place for juice fasting - just not for weight loss," said Gelband said.
"If you're on a yoga retreat in Bali, you're meditating and doing yoga and you want to drink juices because you don't want any heavy foods in your body, that's fine."
He added that when it comes to helping the Victoria's Secret models get cat walk ready, there is no place for starvation: "Food is key to energy," he said. "They're not bean poles."
The low carb-high fat diet
The eating plan has been hailed as the best way to lose weight and build muscle - and Gelband agrees.
It first came to the public's attention in 2001, when Professor Loren Cordain, of Colorado State University's health and exercise department published The Paleo Diet - and has since soared in popularity.
Essentially a low-carb, high fat diet, followers can eat grass-produced meats, fish and seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts and seeds and "healthful" oils.
Banned items include dairy, cereals and grains, potatoes, refined sugar, processed food and salt.
But Paleo is not without its critics - and many argue the plan has no scientific validity.
A study last year by University of Melbourne claimed following the diet for just eight weeks can lead to rapid weight gain and health complications.
However, another recent study has showed it can improve heart health in just eight weeks.
The research by the University of Houston Laboratory of Integrative Physiology found improved health in eight participants who who normally eat a Western diet when they switched to the Paleo diet.
