Now, by now most of you know that I’m not one to turn my nose up at baked goods. But when I read this story in the Times yesterday about cookie diets, I have to admit I rolled my eyes a little. Cookies, the secret to weight loss?
Yes–that is, if you believe the slew of new and recent cookie-centric diets on the market, including the Cookie Diet and Smart for Life. On these plans, you lose weight by replacing meals and/or snacks with low-cal cookies. Like any diet that involves dramatically slashing calories (think the Special K Challenge), it has the potential to aid weight loss. That is, of course, if you can stick with it.
And that’s exactly where I take issue. On the one hand, what’s not to love? You nosh on cookies all day instead of, say, blanched chicken breast with a side of lettuce. On the other, the problem with any diet, in the strictest sense of the word, is that it’s nearly impossible for most people to consume the same thing day in and day out. Having a chocolate cookie instead of lunch may initially make you feel like you’re getting to “cheat” and still win the weight war–but eventually you’re going to want, say, a skirt steak or a big fat slice of cake. And the more you think something’s off-limits, the more likely you are to (over)eat it.
Personally, I’d rather just have a cookie–a real cookie, and all the sugar and delicious saturated fat that comes with it–and work it into my overall calorie count. Wouldn’t you?
–Camille
Facebook
Camille
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
What NO ONE talked about in that article, is ‘what do those cookies taste like’!!! (My cousin went on the diet and when I asked her, she said “Well, if you dump a lot of cinnamon on them, heat it in the microwave and swallow fast, they taste pretty good.” So what’s the point of that? I agree that it makes more sense to savor one yummy cookie than to teach yourself to choke down a bunch that don’t make you happy.