Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Facts on the Cookie Diet

By Keira Adams

The cookie diet may take the cake as the world's worst ever fad diet. In essence this diet claims that amino acids baked into cookies can control hunger.

It's been more than 30 years since the cookie diet arrived on the scene. Maybe it's completely new to you. If you have, you're probably still questioning whether this somewhat odd diet plan will really do what it promises.

Fad diets are intended to help people lose a great deal of weight in a short period of time - they're popular because the weight loss tips they propose appear to be miraculous. Most fad diets center on some super weight loss food, much like the cookie diet centers on the cookie. These diets rely on slick pitches that make it seem silly not to buy and try the diet.

The cookie diet was created by a physician named Sanford Siegel in 1975 while he was researching a book on the effect of natural foods on hunger. To maintain the cookie diet people would eat six cookies a day, plus a regular dinner. All told the daily caloric intake was about 800 calories. Very quickly the cookie diet became a huge success, with 14 clinics in Florida and 10 in Latin America expounding this amazing weight loss formula. In the middle 1980s over 200 doctors were prescribing Dr. Siegel's cookie diet in their own practices. It was at this time that shakes and soups were added to the mix, these also containing the amino acids that control hunger.

Later Hollywood grabbed the cookie diet. Stars and starlets made their use of the diet well known, which helped vault it to public attention.Like the original cookie diet this Hollywood version replaced breakfast and lunch with cookies, then allowed a reasonable dinner.These cookies each contain 150 calories and fiber, protein and minerals.

Don't waste time with the cookie diet. Remember that good health comes from a balanced diet and an exercise program.Even if the star of your favorite movie claims to love them, avoid so called miracle weight loss foods. - 16004

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