Celebrity Diet Secrets

Take inspiration for your weight loss plan from these star tips

While we may watch our favourite celebrities in awe and think how wonderful it must be to look as they do and lead a lifestyle like they do, they have it tough. Their lifestyle is busy and their position in the public eye means their appearance is important. This is where celebrity diets come in - diet plans that allow celebrities to maintain a busy lifestyle and an enviable figure all at once.

Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Darcey Bussell admits to cutting out pasta and bread for a few weeks if she starts to gain a few pounds. She also only allows herself one glass of red wine a week. In her ballet days, Darcey says she ate extremely well, but now has to watch calories more as she gets older.

Darcey snacks on healthy goodies such as prunes, avocado and dates, and avoids processed foods.

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Celebrity Diet Secrets: Mary Berry

For Mary, 80, her celebrity diet plan is simple. She's not only vowed 'never to go back for a second slice', no matter how tasty it was but also enforced 'the Downing Street rule' at her own dinner table. 'The first thing to do is to sit down', she explained in a recent interview. 'And the second is to take every mechanical aid off the table.' 'When the children and grandchildren come to see me, they hand in all their games and phones at the door. I call it 'the Downing Street rule', because that's what they make you do if you go to Number 10.' And science shows that Mary's celebrity diet plan has the right foundations. Eating in front of the computer screen or TV distracts us from focusing on what's on the end of our forks. This means we often over eat or fail to feel satisfied. NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) published a report recommending the introduction of TV free days in an effort to reduce screen time and prevent the obesity epidemic from rising. So, why not try Mary's 'Downing Street' celebrity diet tonight and see if makes a difference?

Celebrity Diet Secrets: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is one just a handful of celebrities that can truly be desccribed as a Hollywood icon. Her poise, style, elegance and slimline figure are just a few of the traits that earned her millions of admirers - both men and women alike. But throughout her career, she managed to avoid the weight fluctuation that many other celebrities suffer from. So, was that a result of good genes, or did Audrey know the secret to maintaining her weight? A new book, written by her son, details her diet and eating habits - and it seems it was the latter! According to Luca Dotti, the actress followed a simple plan, which included never skipping breakfast and a chocolate treat a day. This, along with a monthly detox, left her with a figure that millions of women envied. The book, Audrey at Home, Memories of My Mother's Kitchen (£20; HarperCollins) is out now, and includes recipes for the star's favourite foods. Feeling inspired by Audrey? Click through for more celebrity diet tips...

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone might be 57, but she certainly doesn't look it. Her enviable figure is the result of a strict low-GI regime. A diet based on controlling blood sugar levels, Sharon stays away from high-GI foods like refined sugar, fizzy drinks, white bread and white pasta to keep her blood sugar levels constant. Her secret to flat abs? Snacking on prunes. They beat bloating, naturally cleanse the gut and contain vitamin E for anti-aging effects.

Fern Britton

Presenter Fern, 58, famously slimmed down last year when she took part in Strictly Come Dancing. She helps keep her weight down by making healthy substitutions in her everyday meals. Fern chooses to bake rather than fry food, saving plenty of fat and calories. She also uses the good old rules of portion control, filling half her plate with veg, 1/4 with lean protein and 1/4 with brown cabohydrate. Being married to chef Phil Vickery could throw any diet plan into jeopardy, but Fern opts to share puddings to instantly cut calories yet still enjoy the same indulgent treat.

Beyonce

The curvaceous singer keeps her amazing figure by always eating a very low-calorie diet. She keeps away from red meat, and replaces pasta and rice with quinoa. Beyonce makes sure she always eats a filling, healthy breakfast such as scrambled egg whites or a fruit smoothie. Whilst Beyonce sticks to her strict diet during the week, she allows herself a cheat day on Sunday. Her top tip for making water more interesting is to add vegetable or chicken stock cubes to hot water to make a hydrating savoury drink.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah, 61, controls her weight by employing a personal chef. Whilst this may not be an option for many of us, we can follow her lead by eating lean meat and lots of fruit and vegetables to keep full without loading up on calories. Oprah has a thyroid problem which has often caused her weight to yo-yo. So, rather than going on fad diets, she opts for a healthy lifestyle plan that is easy to maintain.

Diane Kruger

Actress Diane, 39, keeps slim and healthy by eating only organic foods. She tries to limit fast food treats - like her favourite burritos - to just once every couple of weeks. Not a fan of the gym, Diane prefers to stay active by going hiking in the countryside.

Cat Deeley

Cat Deeley, 39, starts each day with a cup of hot water and lemon to cleanse and neutralise her gut.

Helen Mirren

Helen looks the picture of perfection at the age of 70. The secret to her slimline figure is moderation. Helen explains she is always on a diet, never drinking or eating too much, which helps her body stay balanced throughout the year. When she's busy filming, Helen's secret is to get early nights and stay away from alcohol. She also keeps her immune system topped up with vitamin supplements. Discover more diet tips here Join the w&h diet club here

Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, 43, regularly follows a strict macrobiotic diet. This means a 60% intake of vegetables and fish and meat. Dairy, processed food, alcohol and caffeine are not permitted. Discover more diet tips here Join the w&h diet club here

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer, 46, got her svelte figure by cutting out mayonnaise in sandwiches and doing away with all fried foods. She now reaps the benefits of low-fat meals instead. When Jen had to slim down to play a stripper in the 2013 film We're The Millers, she cut down her diet to lean meat and lots of vegetables. On cheat days, she allows herself to eat kale chips. Her secret to long-term slimming is never taking a second helping and a complete ban on sweets.

Cameron Diaz

Although actress and former model Cameron, 43, has a fast metabolism, it may be her unusual way of starting the day that helps her keep in shape: a big serving of chicken! Cameron claims it provides her with a quick energy start, setting her up for the day.

Sophia Loren

Sophia, 81, is the doyenne of self-discipline. For years she has talked about her love of pasta, but listen to those vices the actress avoids. Sophia rarely eats meat and you won't find her eating crisps, smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol. Cheese, fruit and vegetables make up the rest of her daily meals.

Lauren Hutton

Few models have remained in the business longer than Lauren, 72. No exercise fanatic, Lauren prefers taking long walks instead. Meals are based around salads, fruits and vegetables and she rarely eats meats or desserts.

Claudia Schiffer

Supermodel Claudia, 45, keeps her weight in check by eating lighter meals at dinner (salad and steamed vegetables), and eating nothing but fruit before 12pm. She sips on herbal tea through out the day for a cleansed feeling.

Jane Seymour

The 64-year-old actress satisfies her sweet tooth with frozen fruit bars. Join the w&h diet club here With thanks to 1001 Best-Kept Diet Secrets by Diane Irons

Raquel Welch

Daily yoga practice plays a major role in the incredible condition Raquel is in at 75. Her regular exercise combined with a diet rich in protein (turkey, veal, fish, some red meat) plus snacking on rice cakes and fresh fruit, leaves Raquel with an enviable svelte physique.

Elle Macpherson

Supermodel Elle, 51, isn't called The Body for nothing. Those rock-hard abs of hers are a result of 500 daily sit-ups. Elle also only eats two meals a day - each day it's a choice between lunch or dinner, depending on her schedule or mood.

Faye Dunaway

Faye claims she is in better condition today at 74 than at any other time in her life. Faye excludes white flour from her diet and incorporates lots of salads, grilled fish, vegetables and seven-grain breads.

Melanie Griffith

Actress Melanie, 58, is a busy mum of three, so it's easier for her to keep her figure trim by biking, swimming and walking with the family. Melanie also takes vitamin and mineral supplements. She alternates her supplements them from time to time, reading what her body is craving and reacting accordingly.