Cookie Diet

At first when hearing the name cookie diet there has to be some degree of scepticism at the idea of diet that is predominately made up of delicious mouth watering cookies. Firstly, the cookies are not necessarily considered mouth watering, though they are still very much eatable. In regards to the cookies themselves, the company even states

"Are Dr. Siegel’s cookies delicious? Are they magical? Do they perform miracles? No. They taste good but we wouldn't call them delicious. Delicious cookies make people fat"

About the Cookies

The cookie diet was invented in 1975 by Dr. Siegel who still runs a medical practise today that is the only place this diet and the formulated cookies are available from. It is claimed that DR. Siegel bakes every batch of cookies himself in his own bakery.

The cookies are especially formulated with food proteins that apparently have an appetite curbing effect. This is the main basis behind the creation of the cookies.

Dr. Siegel's idea is that most diets are hard to follow and fail because of hunger and dissatisfaction. The cookie diet on the other hand is based around eating when you are hungry. There are of course still restrictions in place, but generally it is expected that with the help of the cookies, a dieter remains satisfied throughout the day on a lower calorie intake.

Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet

The Siegel diet involves eating a dinner of lean protein (chicken, turkey or seafood), 1 cup of vegetables and throughout the day, 6 of Dr. Spiegel's formulated cookies. There are no specific times for the cookies to be eaten, just when the dieter is hungry and provided they do not exceed the 6 cookie limit.

By taking this approach if the dieter is satisfied and full throughout the day, the pressure on one's self control is not too intense; calorie intake is low and supposedly the nutrient and vitamin intake is sufficient. Keep in mind, in addition to the cookies, this diet has just the 1 meal at dinner.

Cookie Critics

This diet definitely has its fair share of critics which many agree the diet is too low in calories, carbohydrates and other nutrients to be healthy. Critics are saying it is simply a starvation diet. The 1 cup of vegetables is well and truly below the recommended daily dose of vegetables and fruit. The diet's requirements are a measly 800 calories per day and are low in fibre, 2 flavours high in saturated fat. Anyone who is taking in just 800 calories a day is bound to lose weight and on the cookie diet, the 800 calories don't appear to be nutrient sufficient.

Also, the rate at which weight is expected to be lost is considered by many to be unhealthy and not maintainable at a reportable average of 15 pounds a month.

Even the founder behind the diet recommends that the diet only be adhered to for a couple of weeks and that it is by no means the answer to all your weight loss issues.