Imagine, if you will, a diet that is so popular it actually creates a shortage of the very food you need to follow the diet. The banana diet has done just that, in Japan, in the autumn of 2008. Some banana companies are struggling to increase their product fast enough for the whirlwind that has swept Japan.

There are several twists on this newest fad and while some of them seem healthier than most fad diets, it is still just a fad diet. Just like any fad diet, there are versions that are simply not realistic. Nearly all versions of the banana diet say it's not a quick fix, expect to lose weight slowly, despite the lack of a quick solution it’s hugely popular.

The banana diet usually has 4-5 rules and they are as follows: Eat one raw banana for breakfast, with some versions of the diet including a glass of room temperature water. Eat whatever you'd like for lunch and dinner. This includes fried foods. This advice is a not consistent with healthy eating; the healthier you eat the better your results will be. All the versions say no sweets for lunch or dinner.

Do have a mid-afternoon snack. Some versions of the banana diet suggest having chocolates and cookies. The idea is that you shouldn't deny yourself. You're allowed to have room temperature water at meal times, but only a little. If you should find yourself in a social situation, feel free to indulge in a little alcohol. However, there are versions of the banana diet which prohibit alcohol.

There are several versions of the banana diet which have a cut off time of 8:00 p.m. for dinner and strict bedtime of mid-night. Finally, and this may be a favorite with a number of people, don't exercise. That's right. Don't exercise. If you want to, of course, you are able, but only if you feel like it and don't cause stress to yourself.

Healthier versions of the banana diet suggest eating a banana, or another fruit, with water before every meal. Some say that you can eat what you'd like but keeping it healthy, and stick with a strict time schedule. Of course, these versions recommend regular exercise.

While eating a banana a day is a great source of many of nutrients, variety is the key to getting all the nutrients and phytonutrients that the body needs. Eating something low in calories and fat before a meal is always a good idea since you should feel fuller without having to eat as much as you might have. But don't limit yourself to fruit; indulge in a small bowl of broth based soup, a salad, or a serving of yogurt.

It is important to xercise regularly without overdoing it. Exercise has the advantage of moving blood around, boosting your metabolism, and working your heart. Eating before a certain time and going to bed by a certain time each night is generally sound advice. It gives your body a chance to digest before shutting down for the night. There are some good points in this fad and you should consider making them a habit. However, be healthy and toss out what isn't sustainable for the long term.