The Cookie Diet is one of the latest fad diets to hit the Hollywood scene—and a Walgreens near you. Founded by Dr. Sanford Siegal, this cookie-based diet suggests that you can lose up to 10 pounds a month by having a cookie three or four times a day and one light, real meal. We're wary about this crazy diet and you should be too. Nutrition expert Madelyn Fernstrom, CNS, Ph.D., shares seven ways the Cookie Diet can go wrong...
1 Fatigue
On this diet, you consume only 800 to 1,000 calories per day. The recommendation for women age 31 to 50 is between 1,800 to 2,200 calories. An extremely low daily calorie intake can cause fatigue.6 Lack of Protein
By consuming only one meal a day that isn't a cookie, you may not get enough protein. Every individual needs at least 50 grams of protein daily. To calculate how much you need, cut your body weight in half. (For example, a 150-pound person needs about 75 grams daily.)
2 Constipation
cookies are high in fiber. If you're not drinking enough water, there's a possibility of constipation with the consumption of this extra fiber.
3 Irritability
Extremely low daily calorie intake can cause irritability.
4 Calcium Deficiency
On this diet, you wouldn't have cookies and milk. Therefore, your calcium intake may be low.
5 Unable to Exercise
Daily exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. When you're not consuming enough calories, there's a high possibility that you will tire quickly or be too tired to even exercise, making your workouts inefficient or making you unmotivated to work out.
6 Lack of Nutrition
On this diet, you're cutting out fruits and vegetables from most of your meals, so you're lacking phytochemicals, or health-promoting plant products. you will still need the essential vitamins and minerals from whole foods to have good health
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