The Cookie Diet

I first heard about the cookie diet from gossip blogs when Madonna mentioned on Phoenix, Arizona's KZZP-FM JohnJay and Rich radio show that her husband, Guy Ritchie, was on it and blamed his low sex drive on the diet. After sampling and at the very least reading up on every new diet, weight loss book and meal service I was surprised that I had never heard of the cookie diet. Initially of course it sounded like another lame fad diet, but I had to do my research first.

It's all in a name, and the cookie diet certainly sounds more appealing. However, I quickly learned that the diet is not just noshing on any cookies but specific cookies, which can be better described as nutrition bars, in the form of a cookie. It's not like guy Ritchie was losing weight pigging out on Oreos and Thin Mints. The cookie diet is the brainchild of Dr. Sanford Segal, a 79-year-old medical doctor located in South FL and owner of the Siegal Medical Group. By 2002 there were three medical centers in Florida where physicians conducted physical exams, EKG's, and prescribed this cookie diet. Similar to slim fast the cookies and shakes are meal replacements which Dr. Siegal described on his website www.cookiedietonline.com as " amino acid food protein products," and that is about and specific about the contents of the cookies that he gets without purchasing them. He also claims that the indgredients help curb your hunger. The diet consists of eating six of these cookies during the day and in the evening and for dinner eating 6 oz. Of chicken, fish or turkey with one cup of greens. Totaling 800 calories a day, it is no surprise that if you are able to stick to the diet you will lose weight.

One box of cookies costs $62 and includes enough for one-week worth. The original cookie created in 1975 was oatmeal raisin but now you may also purchase chocolate, coconut, banana, or blueberry as well. The cookie does not need refrigeration and is small enough to fit into a purse. Dr. Siegal suggests that on average you will lose 12-15 lbs if you stick to the diet for one month.

Dr. Siegal's 43-year-old son, Matthew, turned his fathers solo practice (he previously worked with Smart for Life, but they later split ways in 2006) into the online and international business that it has become. According to The Washington Post the business is set to make 3.9 million dollars in 2008. It should be noted that this is not the same as the Hollywood Cookie Diet and they are in fact two separate entities.

Generally speaking, it is typically not advised that you eat less than 1200 calories a day unless you are under a supervised diet by a physician and while Dr. Siegal may be a physician ordering his cookies over the internet does not qualify as being under a physicians care. Additionally, not once on Dr. Siegal's website does he address exercise at all, despite mentioning having your thyroid and heart checked, which I found interesting that he did not mention. While I imagine this is a good way to start a weight loss plan I do not see this diet standing the test for a long-term solution.