Cookie Diet

What the Experts Say

American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Dee Sandquist, MS, RD, says the Cookie Diet is another version of the meal replacement plan, known to be an effective option for some.

“For lots of people, decisions about meals are tough, whether at home or eating out, and when you can drink a shake [or, eat a cookie or a bar instead of a meal, it simplifies it and helps some dieters stay in control,” she says.

She emphasizes the importance of making wise food choices when following the Cookie Diet, and recommends that dieters include lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy in the dinner meal, even it if ends up being more than 300 calories.

She also suggests checking the nutrition facts panel to see how many grams of fiber, carbs, protein, and other nutrients are in each cookie, as these numbers vary from plan to plan.

As for the very low-calorie monitored Cookie Diet plans, critics say 800 calories is below the recommended level for safe and effective weight loss. They say the 800-calorie cookie diet is lacking in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and fiber, all of which should be a part of any healthy weight loss plan.

Sandquist suggests consulting a registered dietitian before you embark on any weight loss plan, especially one that calls for eating less than 1,200 calories a day.

But Siegal says his clinical experience over the last 30 years has shown that fast weight loss is safe under a doctor’s care, and that any nutrients lacking in the plan are made up for by the daily multivitamin.

“We monitor our patients weekly for any complications and they do fine,” he says.” My patients are delighted to lose 2-3 pounds a week, which motivates them to stick to the plan.”

Another weakness in the Cookie Diet, experts say, is the lack of an exercise plan. Experts recommend that physical activity be a regular part of everyone’s life.

“Physical activity is essential to build and maintain lean muscle, and is an integral part of an overall healthy lifestyle that needs to be part of the Cookie Diet or any other weight loss plan,” Sandquist says.

Food for Thought

For people on the go or those who have trouble controlling what they eat, meal replacement cookies can be an excellent way to control calories and lose weight.

Although the idea of a cookie for a meal sounds like a childhood dream, the truth is that it could get monotonous eating cookies every day. And without regular physical activity and guidance to help you make long-term lifestyle changes, lost weight may creep back.

While you’ll most likely lose quickly weight on an 800-calorie-a-day plan, the cookie diets lack a transitional plan to help dieters get back to eating more normally and to maintain the lost weight.

Dietitians recommend that, once you reach your goal weight, you should increase your intake of healthy foods — especially fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and low fat-dairy — for at least two meals a day, and rely on meal replacements for one meal a day.

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