Heart charity's warning over bogus diet plan

The "British Heart Foundation diet" is a three-day, very low-calorie plan that claims to help people shed ten pounds.

But the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said it could leave people lacking essential nutrients. It condemned the plan as a "faddy crash diet".

Victoria Taylor, heart health dietician at the BHF, said: "Apart from being wholly unappetising, with the likes of two frankfurters with a cup of cabbage and half a cup of carrots for a meal, this diet is so restrictive in terms of the range and quantity of food that it lacks a number of nutrients we need to stay healthy.

"The lack of fibre means followers could develop constipation, while long-term use could also leave you deficient in calcium and iron, which can result in fragile bones and teeth and feeling constantly tired and lethargic if left unchecked."

The BHF has its own meal plans for healthy eating.