Here's What Our Nutritionist Thinks of Karl Lagerfeld's Diet

Fashion icon, Karl Lagerfeld, (who died earlier this month) may have been known as the creative genius behind fashion houses that served only people with deep pockets, but did you know you can get his slender physique for a mere $19.95? Just find yourself a copy of The Karl Lagerfeld Diet.

The book is not new, though—and according to Amazon, it’s out of print. Lagerfeld published it in 2005 with Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret, a physician who specializes in nutrition, aesthetics, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. The 224-page book outlines a specific 3-phase diet plan that Lagerfeld himself followed to lose at least 80 pounds in just over a year.

At its core, Lagerfeld’s diet limits calories and fat, avoids refined and fried foods, and consists mostly of lean proteins and vegetables. That checks most of our nutrition boxes—watch your calories, be mindful of fried foods and nutritionally devoid refined foods, and lean on lean proteins and veggies. In fact, every meal includes some protein to help you preserve as much lean muscle as possible while slimming down. But the fat restricitions? We wish it focused more on saturated fat and let you have more healthy fats, but, let’s remember, this was written in the early 2000s and the world was still living in an anti-fat era.

Dig a little deeper into the 3 phases, however, and that nutritionist stamp of approval fades.

Is Karl Lagerfeld’s Diet Healthy?

Phase one is very low in calories (800 to 900 a day) and has you “eating” a protein supplement and vegetables. I personally don’t consider taking a supplement “eating,” and 800 to 900 calories a day is far too restrictive for most folks. I’d skip that phase altogether, or at the very least, not follow it for the full 2 weeks that are recommended.

Phase 2 loosens the calorie reigns, but don’t get too giddy—you can only have 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day. However, you get to swap out that protein supplement for an actual lean protein (chicken, fish, etc.). You’re also allowed a serving of low-fat yogurt or cheese after your meal. Wow. Thank you, Karl!

Phase 3 gives you a calorie cap that is even more reasonable at 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day. You’re also allowed to have whole-wheat toast at one meal, and fruit at another. This phase is the most nutritionally sound—at this calorie range you’re much more likely to get the nutrients that your body needs, plus because most people lose weight eating 1,500 calories, you’ll still slim down during this phase. That said, forever only eating one grain serving a day and one piece of fruit a day isn’t exactly healthy.

Bottom line? This is really just another quick-fix diet plan that worked for a celebrity and is very likely to be hard to implement for the average person living an average life. (Yes, I’m a wet sponge.) But here’s a silver lining: it seems you can have all the Diet Coke you want (as that was a Lagerfeld staple so much that he partnered with Coca-Cola at one point.)

The fashion icon and his MD also cover exercise recommendations and cosmetic surgery in the book—with a heavier emphasis on the latter versus the former. And Lagerfeld indulges readers with his personal tips on how to stay attractive and fit. All of which are said to be entertaining tidbits. As for me? I’ll be leaning more towards the Mediterranean Diet.