kate middleton diet, diet used by Kate Middleton's mother 'a health hazard'

The Dukan diet, which Carole Middleton said helped her lose 4lb in four days, was singled out as unbalanced, according to a study by Anses, the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety.

Two months ago Mrs Middleton, whose daughter is to marry Prince William next April, revealed in an interview she was on the much-hyped diet by Pierre Dukan, the French nutritionist, and surviving on "cottage cheese and prawns".

More than two million copies of the Dukan book "Je ne sais pas maigrir" (I don't know how to diet) have been sold in France, and the regime became a bestseller in Britain after its English-language launch in May. Gisele Bundchen, the supermodel, credits Dukan with helping her get back in shape after having a baby, as does actress Jennifer Lopez. Katherine Jenkins, the opera singer is also a follower.