Do you like eggs? Do you really like eggs? Then the boiled-egg diet might appeal to you — especially if you’re looking to lose weight. The truth is that this fad diet will not lead to long-term changes that improve your health. Still curious? Read on to learn how this plan works, its pros and cons, and how to follow it safely.

What Is the Boiled-Egg Diet?

The boiled-egg diet is a type of diet that focuses on eggs, particularly hard-boiled eggs. You eat a minimum of two or three eggs per day, and you don’t even have to incorporate them into every meal. Why would someone want to eat this way?

It has a bit of celebrity backing: Nicole Kidman reportedly ate only hard-boiled eggs prior to starring in Cold Mountain, according to Vogue Italia. Charles Saatchi, the ex-husband of chef Nigella Lawson and the founder of the ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, has also done the boiled-egg diet, according to some publications, such as the Daily Mail.

How Does the Boiled-Egg Diet Work?

There are several versions of the boiled-egg diet, according to the e-book The Boiled Egg Diet: The Easy, Fast Way to Weight Loss!, by Arielle Chandler. We’ll dive into the differing options below, but the typical version is similar to low-carb Atkins, writes Chandler, and requires eating:

Breakfast At least two eggs and one piece of fruit (low-carb vegetable or protein optional)

Lunch Eggs or lean protein and low-carb vegetables

Dinner Eggs or lean protein and low-carb vegetables

Is the Boiled-Egg Diet Good for You?

Overall, this diet contains healthy food, but it’s not a balanced, healthy diet. The boiled-egg diet is extremely restrictive, incredibly low-calorie, and faddish. “I don’t think you should be on a diet that requires an obsession with one food,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, the New York City–based author of Finally Full, Finally Slim.

The crux of the diet — eggs — is a food that’s healthy for you — just not as your only or main food. The American Heart Association says that one egg (or two egg whites) per day can be part of a healthy diet. “Eggs make a great breakfast. A hard-boiled egg is a nutritious snack, but I think that consuming a variety of foods is a healthier way to eat,” says Dr. Young.