It's the diet that's taking American by storm! Call it the fax diet, or the ice cream diet..or just the miracle diet.

Copies of the simple plan have been passed with electronic speed from house to house and office to office. And what's more, you have to go on the diet for only three days--and then revert to normal, sensible eating for four days, before tackling it again.

"It's really miraculous," says New York housewife Jeanette Luba. "I lost 10 lbs. in just three days." Other fans have lost as much as 40 lbs. in a month!

Dietitians STAR spoke to say they have no idea where the diet originated, but they agree that it's not only faster than the cabbage soup diet that swept the country--it's a lot healthier!

The miracle diet works on the chemical break-down of certain foods on the body. It delivers an average of 1,000 calories per day. Remember to follow these guidelines:

1. Consult your doctor before starting the diet.
2. Do not skip meals.
3. Drink four to eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily.
4. Do not add fats when preparing food.
5. This diet should be used for three days--followed by four days of normal eating. You can lost 40 lbs. a month if you stick to it.

- Drink a minimum of 4 glasses of water or diet beverages per day.

- Any of the following may be used to your heart's content: salt, pepper, vinegar, lemon, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mustard and catsup.

Day 1 of the 3 Day Diet Menu:

Breakfast: Coffee/Tea with sugar substitute + 1/3 grapefruit + 1 piece of dry toast topped with 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter

Lunch: 1/2 cup of tuna in spring water + 1 piece of dry toast + coffee/tea with sugar substitute

Dinner: 3 ounces of lean meat + 1 cup of green beans + 1 cup of carrots + 1 apple + 1 cup of vanilla ice cream

Day 2 of the 3 Day Diet Menu:

Breakfast: Coffee/Tea with sugar substitute + 1 egg + 1 slice of dry toast + 1/2 banana

Lunch: 1 cup of cottage cheese or tuna in spring water + 8 saltine crackers

Dinner: 2 franks + 1 cup of cabbage + 1/2 cup of carrots + 1/2 banana + 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream

Day 3 of the 3 Day Diet Menu:

Breakfast: Coffee/Tea with sugar substitute + 5 saltine crackers + 1 ounce of cheese + 1 apple

Lunch: 1 boiled egg + 1 slice of dry toast + coffee/tea with sugar substitute

Diet Dinner: 1 cup EACH of: tuna in spring water, carrots, cauliflower, melon + 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream