The Cookie Diet?

Posted on August 31, 2008

Tonight I was checking out the health sections of some news websites and I came across a video of Dr. Sanford Siegal pitching his “Cookie Diet.” Apparently his special cookies are able to control hunger and help people lose weight.

According to the video (see it here), the people on Dr. Siegel’s Cookie Diet eat a total of 6 cookies (500 calories) throughout the day and then eat a dinner consisting of chicken or turkey and some steamed vegetables (for another 300 calories). So basically, this is a glorified 800 calorie diet.

I have a problem with this. First off, 800 calories is not enough. Will you lose weight by eating only 800 calories a day? Sure. Is it the best thing to do? Probably not.

There’s no doubt in my mind that someone sticking to this “diet” will lose weight. Anyone eating only 800 calories a day is bound to do so. The problem is 800 calories is barely enough to give your body the energy it needs to just exist. With 800 calories, you can forget about having the energy to get any amount of quality physical activity. Oh, I guess I forgot…these cookies control your hunger and probably give you massive amounts of energy too! Please.

The next problem I have is the lack of healthy habits being taught as part of this plan. Instead of just depending on a cookie (or whatever else) to “control hunger” and eating, why not teach good eating habits. What happens when you stop eating the cookies? What happens when you start eating more than the allowed 800 calories a day? My guess is, unless you learn good eating/exercise habits, the weight will come back.

Instead of pitching a gimmicky “cookie diet,” we should be more concerned about educating everyone about healthy lifestyle habits. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Get regular physical activity. Moderation is the key.

While I applaud Dr. Siegel for trying, I still think he missed the boat. I’m glad that he has been able to help so many people since 1975 (when the “cookie diet” started), but I don’t have any love for the “cookie diet.” I hope the people who lost weight on this “diet” were able to keep it off and live healthier lifestyles.

Until we all learn to live healthier and live without gimmicky, trendy “diets,” our health problems in the world will only continue. Get off the cookies and on to a healthy lifestyle.

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» Filed Under Behavior Change, Fad Diets, Weight Control

Comments

  • http://marksalinas.com Mark Salinas

    Keep active, a regular fitness routine and make smarter food choices! :) Nice post!

    Mark Salinas’s last blog post..Talli van Sunder-The Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  • http://staceyshipman.com Stacey Shipman

    I completely agree. I hear this diet advertised on the radio all the time and it maddens me. Our society is always looking for a trend or quick fix and cookies are not it. I didn’t know much about it, so thank you for the information. The formula to healthy living is really quite simple, yet as a society it seems we do nothing but make it more complex.

  • http://kipandcarolyn.blogspot.com Carolyn Holderness

    I think it’s so true that there’s no such thing as a quick “fix it” diet. It takes discipline and basic care for your body — eating healthy foods and regular exercise. Too many people are looking for an easy way out!