Britney Spears’ new diet isn’t ‘sustainable’ – she needs a ‘realistic way’ to deal with ‘teenage trauma around food’

BRITNEY Spears has never shielded away from showing off her curves or revealing the measures she has taken to get her world-famous figure in shape.

A celebrity dietician has urged the Toxic hitmaker to reconsider her latest diet regimen, which involves unsustainable "16-hour fasts," and find a regular pattern.

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Britney Spears (seen here in 2018) needs to have a realistic and healthy relationship with food and a long-term approach rather than fasting, said an expertCredit: Getty

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A dietician told The U.S. Sun that Britney (seen here in March) may have trauma around her relationship with foodCredit: Instagram/britneyspears

Britney shared photos on Instagram in March where she posed on a tropical beach.

The mega star's private parts were covered with emojis in one photo on March 27.

Britney was otherwise nude, grabbing her breasts as she sat in the ocean.

The photo drop came within days of revealing she had turned to a new diet.

Britney's March 15 post included a photo of a book on intermittent fasting by Stephen Harrod Buhner.

"I actually feel a little too tiny and weak to even think about shooting for Instagram right now!!! But honestly, I like this spiritual dimension I'm on," she wrote.

"It's purification in its utmost way and to go into your body and mind to find your most enlightened state of consciousness seems so rad!!!" Britney added to her post.

But Kim Shapira, M.S., R.D. has expressed doubts that intermittent fasting is the best plan.

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She urged Britney to find a "healthy long-term approach" to food.

"I love that Britney Spears is inspired to become curious about her mind, body, spiritual life, and practices," Shapira told The U.S. Sun.

Britney Spears nearly suffers wardrobe malfunction in very tiny yellow bikini

"I hope she finds a way to have a more realistic and healthy relationship with food and a long-term approach.

"When people go through something traumatic, they can develop a new trigger.

"When we become emotionally triggered, our rational mind becomes irrational.

Britney is human, but it sounds like there is so much trauma around her relationship with food.

Kim Shapira, M.S., R.D.

"We then rationalize bad ideas.

"Britney is human, but it sounds like there is so much trauma around her relationship with food.

"Putting some empathy and compassion towards that part of Britney is essential."

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Britney (seen here in 2016) needs empathy and compassion on her journey with food, said dietician Kim ShapiroCredit: Getty IN PROPORTION

Previously, Britney tried other approaches to slimming down, including changing her diet.

"I run a lot, I swim a lot, and I dance a lot, too," the mom of two told E! News in 2016.

She added, "Tacos, pizza, and ice cream. I love sweets. I love Oreo Blasts—they're the best!"

Britney also shared how she ate fruits and vegetables to curb stress in 2019.

"I have weak eyes and stress and asthma and headaches. So this chart has helped me so much with those problems …. and my weight!!!" she wrote on Instagram.

By 2021, Britney moved toward portion control. She told fans she felt better.

"No… I didn't follow through with the ice cream diet. I chose portion control, which is very hard when it comes to Doritos! On a positive note, my body feels way better now." she said.

Intermittent fasting involves an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting.

Shapira, who has not treated or worked with Britney, claimed this diet was unsustainable.

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Britney started a portion-control diet in 2021, which she claimed was difficultCredit: Instagram OUT OF HOURS

"This diet does not recommend foods that should or should not be eaten," she said.

"Some typical cycles involve fasting for 16 hours or more, with a window of 8 hours or less for eating.

"This diet trend has gained popularity because it has the potential to provide health benefits.

"These include increased metabolic function, weight loss, and brain health.

No matter how much I dieted and exercised, my father was always telling me I was fat. He put me on a strict diet.

Britney Spears

"The real question is sustainability because we have dinners and vacations.

"People might get taken off course and find it hard to get back on track.

"Otherwise, sometimes, celebrities can feel isolated, so asking for help is hard.

"Isolation is not suitable for anyone, including Britney, so I suggest creating a routine and becoming consistent so she can thrive."

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Britney wrote in The Woman in Me that Jamie Spears (seen here in 2012) allowed her to eat almost nothing but chicken and canned vegetablesCredit: AP STRICT START

Britney's life changed overnight in 2022 when her controversial conservatorship terminated.

After 13 years, her father, Jamie Spears, 70, was suspended from his guardianship duties.

There were reports that he was allegedly abusive.

Britney started over at her mansion in California and married for a third time to personal trainer Sam Asghari.

I am excited for Britney to recognize she is more than those messages she might have received.

Kim Shapira, M.S., R.D.

When Britney's autobiography, The Woman in Me, hit the shelves, she said Jamie had allowed her to eat "almost nothing but chicken and canned vegetables."

She said the control of her food intake occurred over two years.

"No matter how much I dieted and exercised, my father was always telling me I was fat. He put me on a strict diet. The irony was that we had a butler — an extravagance — and I would beg him for real food," she said.

Shapira, author of This Is What You're Really Hungry For, said Britney would have felt shame and persecution had Jamie restricted her diet.

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Britney may have felt confused in the past about her father's comments about food, said an expertCredit: Instagram/britneyspears RISK & RESTRICT

"I have never treated Britney, but I would imagine if a parent makes these comments, it would be confusing," she said.

"The comments might fill a person with shame and, ultimately, persecution.

"If food is restricted, our basic survival is at risk.

"This will ultimately lead to overeating when food is available; this is more of a human experience than an isolated one.

If parents encourage disordered eating, it is a form of abuse.

Kim Shapira

"I am excited for Britney to recognize she is more than those messages she might have received.

"If we could remember ourselves as teenagers, we would be more innocent, lack perspective, and see our parents and adults as all-knowing.

"Parents must know that we have limitations, and most of us try our hardest not to impact our children negatively.

"If parents encourage disordered eating, it is a form of abuse."

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Britney (seen here in 1999) may have heard comments about food that might fill a person with shame and, ultimately, persecution, said an expertCredit: Getty UNCONTROLLED

Britney's life has been dogged by difficulty since she shot to fame as a child star in the late '90s.

It became a whirlwind of controversy as she battled substance abuse issues.

Britney would need to be closing the kitchen after dinner.

Kim Shapira

Her two sons, Jayden James and Sean Preston, went to live with their father, Kevin Federline.

Following a well-publicized breakdown in 2007, when she shaved her head, Britney was finally placed under the control of her father.

"Hopefully, Britney will now learn a few things about herself through her process with food," added Shapira, who is based in Los Angeles.

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Britney (2007) endured a public breakdown when she shaved her head and later entered a 13-year conservatorship under her father, JamieCredit: The Mega Agency FOOD FADS

"Perhaps she can find her way to a regular eating pattern, which includes all the food groups.

"I would love Britney to be more dedicated to eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to maintain her blood sugar.

"She would need to be closing the kitchen after dinner.

"This will help improve her sleep and hormones to feel emotionally, physically, and mentally balanced throughout the day.

Skipping meals, ignoring signals, or under-eating would be considered inconsistent.

Kim Shapira

"When we have restrictive and binge cycles, it is easy to latch onto a trend or fad that is similar.

"Our bodies need fuel and rely on blood sugar to function, and they thrive when we are consistent.

"Eating a small amount and as much as you need every couple of hours, trusting that there will be more later, would be considered consistent.

"Skipping meals, ignoring signals, or under-eating would be considered inconsistent.

"This is one way that screws up our metabolism.

"Our bodies would be in the middle of a feast or famine, and we hold on to calories to conserve and protect ourselves.

Read more on the Irish Sun

"I admire Britney for wanting to ground herself in her relationship with food and be curious about how food affects her mentally, physically, and spiritually.

"I am personally cheering for that side."

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A dietician said that if parents encourage disordered eating, it is a form of abuseCredit: Getty