Cookie diet

The Cookie Diet is a low-calorie dietary regimen that utilizes hunger-controlling meal replacement cookies as its foundational principle. This diet has been adopted and marketed under various brands, each offering a unique formulation of the cookie to help manage hunger while maintaining a reduced caloric intake.

Overview

The Cookie Diet encompasses several marketed variations, notable ones being the Smart for Life Cookie Diet, Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet, Hollywood Cookie Diet, and R&D Diet Cookie. Typically, dieters consume 4 to 6 of these specially designed cookies daily, with some variations allowing or requiring additional food intake, like a meal of six ounces of meat.

Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet

In 1975, Dr. Sanford Siegal, a weight loss physician from South Florida, while researching for a book on natural food substances and their impact on hunger, concocted a unique blend of amino acids. He baked this mixture into a cookie with the intent to manage his patients' hunger. The prescribed dietary approach required patients to consume six cookies throughout the day, amounting to roughly 500 calories, coupled with a dinner in the evening of around 300 calories.

This "cookie diet" immediately gained traction and commercial success. Dr. Siegal’s practice soon expanded to 14 clinics across Florida and an additional 10 in Latin America. By the mid-1980s, his approach and products had been integrated into the practices of over 200 physicians.

Beyond the cookies, Dr. Siegal later introduced shakes and soups with similar hunger-suppressing properties.

Licensing and Franchising

From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Siegal granted licensing rights to U.S. Medical Care Holdings, LLC (USMCH) to launch franchised weight loss centers using his brand, weight loss system, and specialized products. Under various banners, including the Siegal Smart for Life Weight Management Centers, USMCH initiated several centers in the U.S. and Canada. However, their collaboration concluded in August 2006, post which Dr. Siegal ceased supplying his products or permitting the use of his brand and system to USMCH. Subsequently, on September 25, 2008, USMCH applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Other Variations

Several other brands have ventured into the Cookie Diet domain, each offering its own unique formulation, often with varied ingredients and caloric values.

Criticisms and Health Considerations

[Details about potential health issues, criticisms from nutritionists, and other relevant considerations.]

See Also

• Meal replacement
• Low-calorie diet
• Dietary supplement

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