Despite the fact that health experts and nutritionists constantly warn us of the dangers of fad diets and how they will never guarantee sustainable weight loss, it would seem that the appeal of the idea of dropping the pounds without doing much in this sense is too great to resist. From Japan comes the Morning (Asa) Banana Diet, a dietary plan that seems as lenient as it’s reportedly promising of impressive results.

The Asa Banana Diet is relatively new on the scene, but it’s already causing serious waves especially with women. It’s not only very easy to follow, in that it’s not necessarily a diet as we’ve come to think of them, but also works very well if we’re taking a goal of losing no more than 30 pounds or so. That is to say, it boasts the ability to help one lose weight, but it’s not able to put an end to the obesity epidemics.

“It’s a diet for people who don’t want to bother with a diet, who don’t want to read a book (although there are books on it in Japan), who are basically in control of things but need a little structure. It’s a diet for a Japanese level of overweight, 5 to 35 pounds overweight, perhaps up to 50, not an American Biggest Loser level of obesity, where a more hardcore, but less simple, diet regimen is called for,” it is being said on the dedicated site.

The diet itself consists of only one condition: eating a banana (or more) for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, slimmers can eat whatever they want in whatever amounts they crave. They are even allowed a sweet treat every day at 3 in the afternoon, and it doesn’t even matter if it’s a single cookie or a Mars chocolate bar. Working out is optional as well, the only two other conditions being that dinner must be served at least 4 hours before bedtime, and that slimmers should keep a food journal for the entire duration of the diet.

As for how to the diet works to fight the extra pounds, the jury is still out on this one, though most would incline to believe that this is just a scam (worst case scenario) or a situation in which slimmers are forced to be more aware of what they eat, thus eat less (at best). FitSugar, for instance, would say that the Morning Banana Diet is more like dust in the wind than a real diet per se, ideal for those looking for a quick solution to a problem that usually takes time, patience and lots of will power to solve.

“This diet may be having positive results since being on a diet in general makes people aware of what they’re eating. It has nothing to do with the bananas though, since this fruit doesn’t have any special powers when it comes to weight loss. Any diet plan that promotes eating unhealthy treats and optional exercise doesn’t seem like a healthy lifestyle you can maintain, so it’s not a diet you should even consider trying. If weight loss is on your mind, don’t fall for this banana scheme. Eat a healthy diet full of lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and veggies, and get moving at least 30 minutes a day. That’s the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off,” FitSugar recommends.