The Promise

Butter-drenched lobster? Fresh-baked rolls? You can eat both and still slim down -- provided you dont eat them together, claims The New Beverly Hills Diet .

An updated version of the 1981 best-seller, the book is written by Judy Mazel, who ran a weight-loss clinic in Beverly Hills and died in 2007. Mazel had no training in science or nutrition but centered her practice and book on concepts she used to lose 72 pounds.

By retraining your digestive system with a fruit-based diet for 35 days, then adhering to strict rules about how you combine carbohydrates, fat, and protein, Mazel says youll shed 10 to 15 pounds in 5 weeks and continue to lose weight until you become skinny.

Level of Effort: High

Adhering to a mostly fruit diet -- even with the occasional steak and sweet treat thrown in for variety -- for 5 weeks is a tall order, even for the most disciplined dieter.

If you can get to the second phase of the diet, you may find the unlimited portions and unlimited food choices liberating. But continually choosing meals and snacks that dont combine carbohydrates and protein may prove challenging.

Limitations: If you dont like fruit, or if you have a health problem, such as diabetes, that affects your ability to consume fructose in high quantities, this diet isnt for you.

Cooking and shopping: Because the first phase revolves around fresh and dried fruit, shopping for and preparing food on this diet should be easy. In the second phase, your ability to combine only certain foods -- for example, meatballs and spaghetti cannot be eaten together -- could pose meal planning problems.

Packaged foods or meals: None required.

In-person meetings: No.

Exercise: At least two exercise classes a week; the main thing is to find an activity you love and do it often.

Does It Allow for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences?

Vegetarian or vegan: Mazel tells vegetarians and vegans to eat the same forms of protein they would normally eat, such as tofu, being careful not to combine them with carbohydrates.

Low-fat diet: The only types of fat this diet asks you to avoid are artificially created varieties, like margarine. If you wanted to cut the fat further, you could.

Gluten-free: With no restrictions on types of carbohydrates, this diet is compatible with gluten-free eating.

What Else You Should Know

Cost: None beyond your shopping.

Support: You do this diet on your own.

Does It Work?

You will lose weight on this plan, but only because its so low in calories. Theres no evidence to back up the concept of food combining or a fruit-based diet.

There's a huge lack of nutrition in this diet, especially in the first phase, so it may be tough to stay on it.

Is It Good for Certain Conditions?

There are no health conditions that this plan would help. If you are going to try it, talk to your doctor first.

The Final Word

This plan offers a lot of questionable advice about exercise, calories, digestion, and the value of food combining. And theres no useful information that will help you lose weight and keep it off.

If youre looking for a long-term diet plan, you should find another plan.