In my previous post I wrote about my first observations about the cookie diets after researching the topic.  Keep in mind that single food diets are not new. Remember the grapefruit diet? The notion of removing choice and temptation by eating a preplanned meal substitute does work for many. What about all those meals in a can?

The key to the popularity of these diets is in the marketing. When it comes to living, whether it’s losing weight or learning to play bridge, we look for the simple, quick fix. The cookie diet has that fix. It’s a low calorie diet that if you stay with it you will lose weight because you’re taking in fewer calories than you consume.

My first concern is: Are you getting enough calories? If the amount is too low your body goes into a self preservation stage and your metabolism slows down so you don’t burn as many calories. The problem is that when you start eating again you gain weight twice as fast because your metabolism is below its normal pace. That is why Dr. Siegal tells clients not to exercise until they get into the maintenance phase of the diet, when they have lost weight and are trying not to regain it. The problem is that not exercising for a couple of months is not helpful either. As you age you gradually lose muscle mass and some bone density. Not exercising exacerbates the problem and it is not easy to catch up if you can.

My second concern is are you getting enough nutritional value from what you eat? There are no studies abut this from these cookie diets. The problem here, too, is that when you reach 50 you absorb less and less nutrients from your food which is why it’s so important to not waste your calories on food that has no value such as sugar. Which is why the cookie diet companies tell their customers to take vitamins and some of the companies actually supply the vitamins?

The cookie diet is very appealing because it recommends a good, the cookie, that is forbidden in most diet programs. As a result, however, it gives people a false sense that they’re balancing their nutrition in one food.

Health care professionals are worried also primarily because it doesn’t solve the problem of obesity because there is no room for behavior change. The cookie diets promise a huge return for little investment. Secondly, long-lasting weight loss can result in potassium deficiency, gallstones, heart palpitations, weakened kidneys and dizziness.

Diets with a gimmick aren’t going to harm you over a short period of time but they probably won’t help you keep your weight off either. For weight loss to stick, you need to have an eating pattern that is healthy for you, satisfying, and that you can stay with over a period of time.

Suggestions for a quick loss of weight: cut down the size of your food portions for each meal; cut out the junk food; more vegetables with lunch and dinner without toppings; start walking or dancing.

I welcome your thoughts about the cookie diets.

To your success at healthy aging.

Ruthan Brodsky

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Filed under: Fitness and Nutrition

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