The Cookie Diet, which was created by Dr. Sanford Siegal in 1975 and reformulated in April 2011, consists mainly of specially formulated cookies. You are allowed one healthy meal per day consisting of between 500 and 700 calories, which people usually eat at dinner time. You eat either six or nine cookies, depending on which version of the diet you choose. While you can order Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet products online or by phone, the Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet company-owned store is located in Beverly Hills, California.
Nutrition
Dr. Siegal claims his diet follows the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations for protein, carbohydrate and fat content. However, the Cookie Diet is low in fruits and vegetables, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. If you stick with this diet for an extended amount of time without taking supplements, you may develop nutrient deficiencies.
Weight Loss
Because of the low calorie content on this fad diet, you are likely to lose weight. Because you eat every two hours, you don't get too hungry between meals. Additionally, the cookies contain a special amino acid formula to make them filling, according to the company website. However, you may not stay on the diet for a long amount of time because it is restrictive and doesn't allow for much variety. The Cookie Diet doesn't teach you how to choose healthy foods and control portions with healthy foods, and as such, you are likely to gain back the weight eventually.
Classic versus New
Two versions of the Cookie Diet are available. There is the classic version that allows six 90-calorie cookies per day, and the new Plan 10X that allows nine 60-calorie cookies each day. Both plans result in the same amount of calories, but with the classic plan, you eat your cookies whenever you want and with Plan 10X, you eat them every two hours on a set schedule. According to the company website, the cookies taste good, but not "too good" to discourage dieters from eating too many.
Considerations
The Cookie Diet is a fad diet. A better option is to consume a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products while increasing the amount of physical activity you get, recommends the American Heart Association. Eating 500 to 1,000 fewer calories per day will result in the recommended .5 to 2 lbs. of weight loss per week for most people.
References
- Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet: All-New Cookies and Plan
- American Heart Association: Quick-Weight-Loss or Fad Diets
- ABC News; The Cookie Diet; April 2006
- MayoClinic.com; The Cookie Diet: Can It Help You Lose Weight?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; February 2010
- "Los Angeles Times"; The Cookie Diet; Karen Ravn; January 2009
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