January is typically a time for New Year's resolutions, and diet and exercise are always among them.
As people change up their routines, many turn to their favourite celebrities for inspiration, which is why fitness, nutrition and exercise website Total Shape has gathered data on which stars hold the most influence when it comes to eating habits.
Supermodel Bella Hadid is the most influential, with more than 3,400 searches for "Bella Hadid diet" on Google over the 30-day study.
Khloe Kardashian follows closely behind with 3,300 search results, while Kate, the Princess of Wales, has 2,700 results.
NFL quarterback Tom Brady is the athlete with the most influence, and the only male figure in the top five, with 2,600 searches for the “Tom Brady diet”. He matches singer Taylor Swift when it comes to influencing diet trends in 2023.
Other notable entries on the list included Beyonce, Serena Williams, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Gigi Hadid and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the 22 celebrities influencing diets, as per the study
Here's what the top five most influential celebrities have said about diet and fitness.
1. Bella Hadid: 'There's a difference between pleasure and happiness'
Hadid has come a long way when it comes to her eating habits, having spoken out publicly about anorexia and body dysmorphia. Now, the model aged 26 has been named one of the world’s most influential celebrities for diet inspiration.
“I always eat pretty healthy throughout the year, but I have to cut out pizza and bread [during fashion week] because I’m like, highly allergic … I’m not gluten-free, but I should be,” she told W Magazine in a 2017 interview.
Her nutritionist previously told People magazine that Hadid focuses on a low-carb and high-protein diet.
She's also a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, and previously shared videos to her Instagram account showing her father cooking the family a traditional feast.
The videos portrayed a kitchen counter covered with freshly made dishes, including hummus sprinkled with parsley and drizzled with olive oil, labneh with fresh cucumber and Arabic bread sprinkled with zaatar.
“My baba is the best,” Hadid wrote in the caption shared with her 57 million followers.
The supermodel also shares videos of her cooking on TikTok under the handle BabyBella777.
The supermodel is co-founder of Kin Euphorics, a non-alcoholic drink brand that claims to utilise mood-boosting ingredients designed to calm, energise and improve the mind.
“Someone once said to me, 'There's a difference between pleasure and happiness'. A cupcake could be pleasurable, but it's not going to bring you happiness forever. I try and give myself grace and to understand myself,” Hadid told Harper's Bazaar.
2. Khloe Kardashian: 'I get up 5 days a week at 6am to train'
It's perhaps no surprise that the Kardashians feature in this list and it's Khloe who has been deemed the most influential reality TV sister when it comes to diet, with 3,300 searches on Google over 30 days.
The mum-of-two, 38, previously chronicled her weight loss journey, advising people to focus on their diet, get enough sleep and stay active. She also credited her sister Kim as one of her own inspirations in keeping her motivated to work out.
The former Revenge Body host told New Beauty that she is a creature of habit when it comes to eating.
“I have about two breakfasts and I rotate between [them] unless I’m on vacation or if I have time on the weekends to make my daughter pancakes, and I definitely eat those with her — she can’t do that alone. But usually I love steel-cut oatmeal. And after my workouts, I’ll do vanilla yoghurt with fruit. I’m not a huge breakfast girl but that’s what I’ll do after a workout, because I always have a protein shake immediately after my workout.”
In an Instagram post shared with her 292 million followers earlier this month, Kardashian showed off a toned figure in a shoot for Dubai's Sorbet magazine. Some followers suggested her physique was not achieved through diet and exercise.
Khloe clapped back: "Let's not discredit my years of working out. I get up five days a week at 6am to train. Please stop with your assumptions. I guess new year still means mean people."
The reality TV star has previously been accused of fat shaming after comments she made in an interview with Jay Shetty where she said she "can't stand" people who complain about their weight.
3. Kate Middleton: Healthy eating and a consistent workout regime
Prince William's wife came in third according to Total Shape's research.
The mum-of-three, 41, is one of the world's most recognisable women and has a packed schedule, but manages to maintain her svelte figure thanks to “nutritious, healthy eating with a consistent workout regime”, according to the Express newspaper.
An anonymous source told the Daily Mail, “Kate takes her toned physique exceptionally seriously. The Princess is reportedly also a fan of CrossFit and yoga, makes time to go for a run most days, enjoys cycling, and does most of her workouts without a personal trainer.”
And according to Cosmopolitan, she's also a member of the ultra-luxury Harbour Club gym in Chelsea.
4. Tom Brady: 'If you want to be good at sports, you have to work hard at it'
NFL quarterback Tom Brady, 45, is the only male celebrity in this top-five list and also the only one who follows his own branded diet.
The TB12 diet is a mostly plant-based plan that limits unhealthy fat sources. It's largely been accredited as the reason for his success as one of the best-ever NFL players.
The eating plan includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, nuts and seeds, as well as limited amounts of lean meats and fish. Specifically, the TB12 Method recommends an 80/20 split between plant and animal products.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneer is also known for his love of protein shakes, and has TB12-branded shakes available as part of his fitness plan.
The long-serving athlete also puts a huge focus on working out and looking after his mental health is integral to his plan. “I’m more of a thinker obviously than a physical specimen,” Brady told Men's Health in a 2019 interview.
He spends 15 minutes every day completing mental exercises, drilling his brain speed and pattern recognition.
“No one has to be Tom Brady,” he said in the same interview. “I just get to be Tom Brady. You get to be you. Everyone has a choice. But if you want to be good at sports, you have to work hard at it. If you want to be healthy, you have to work at it. But you can’t say, ‘I want to be healthy’, then eat [...] food and do crappy workouts.”
5. Taylor Swift: 'I try to keep it lighter, but it's nothing too regimented or crazy'
With more than 2,600 searches for the Taylor Swift diet, the singer is another top source of inspiration for fans seeking nutrition and fitness tips.
Swift has been spotted attending dance cardio classes at hip New York studio Body by Simone on many occasions, and has also shared her love of running.
“For me, running is about blasting a whole bunch of new songs and running to the beat. It's also good because it makes me find a gym wherever I am,” she told WebMD in an interview.
“I'm very much out in the world, and I love exploring the places we go when we tour. It's important for me to live a full life.”
During the same interview, Swift spoke about her balanced approach to eating.
“During the week, I try to eat healthily, so that means salads, yoghurt and sandwiches,” she said. “I try to keep it lighter, but it's nothing too regimented or crazy.” Then she says that on the weekends she treats herself to comfort foods such as burgers, fries, lattes and ice cream.
The multi-award-winning music star surprised fans in 2020 when she spoke openly and for several minutes about having had an eating disorder in the part during the Netflix documentary Miss Americana.
Company%20Profile
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Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
The UAE's journey to space
