Werewolf diet

Fad diet based on lunar phases

The werewolf diet, also known as the moon diet or lunar diet, is a fad diet based on the idea that the phases of the Moon influence the body's ability to lose weight and detoxify. The diet recommends fasting or modifying eating habits based on the lunar calendar, and its name comes from the association with the moon and its folklore ties to werewolf mythology.

Overview

The diet has gained some attention in popular culture due to its celebrity endorsements, including from actress Demi Moore and singer Madonna. Proponents claim that just as the Moon affects the tides, it also affects the body's fluids and metabolism. There is, however, no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Variations

There are two main forms of the werewolf diet:

Basic Moon Plan

The basic plan is a short-term fasting method timed with the new moon or full moon. For 24 hours during either of these lunar phases, the dieter consumes only water and freshly squeezed fruit juice or vegetable juice. This version of the diet is often likened to the grapefruit diet in terms of structure and simplicity.

Extended Moon Plan

The extended version builds on the basic plan by following specific dietary guidelines throughout the entire lunar cycle:

• During the full moon and new moon: a 24-hour liquid fast.
• During the waxing moon: reduced calorie intake with emphasis on detoxifying foods.
• During the waning moon: lighter meals, avoidance of eating after 6:00 PM, and controlled portions to aid weight loss.

Claims and Beliefs

Supporters of the diet claim it promotes:

• Weight loss
• Detoxification of the body
• Improved metabolism

They believe that following the moon’s phases enhances the body’s natural rhythms and maximizes fat-burning potential. These ideas are not supported by scientific consensus.

Criticism

Health professionals and nutritionists have criticized the werewolf diet as being a pseudoscientific fad. Key points of criticism include:

• Lack of evidence linking lunar phases to metabolism
• Promotion of unsustainable or potentially unhealthy eating habits
• The diet’s appeal based more on celebrity use than clinical results

Experts caution that extreme fasting and inconsistent caloric intake may result in nutrient deficiencies and yo-yo dieting effects.

Cultural Context

The werewolf diet is part of a broader trend of "detox" and alternative diet fads that rely on celestial or astrological cycles. Its name is a nod to folklore, where werewolves are said to transform during the full moon.

See also

• Fad diet
• Detoxification (alternative medicine)
• Crash diet
• Lunar effect
• Grapefruit diet
• Intermittent fasting