Is it possible to eat cookies AND loose weight? Well sure – - if all you eat for 2 meals a day is cookies.
There has been a lot of press lately about the “Cookie Diet” — not that the diet itself is new, it’s been around since 1975 — but a lot of people may be hearing about it for the first time. And getting excited about this great new way to loose weight.
But before you get excited about eating cookies every day while the fat melts off, let’s take a closer look. ALL you’ll be eating for two meals a day is cookies. 6 cookies to be exact.
Now how excited are you?
Probably not very — and for good reason. You can’t live on cookies alone. Granted a two year old might disagree — but as an adult, you know better.
This is just another in a long line of fad diets. This one just happens to revolve around cookies, while severely cutting out calories.
Cut your calories down to 1000 or so a day and you’re pretty much guaranteed to loose weight. You just may not be healthy when all is said and done.
While the daily recommended calorie intake varies from person to person, an average for adults falls anywhere from 1800 — 2000. So at only 1000 calories you’re at about half the daily recommendation.
By cutting out so many calories you’re likely also cutting out a lot of nutrients that your body needs to function.
Like most diets, this is not meant as a long-term option — but even so you could be doing more harm than good. While fad diets may sound tempting, if they also sound too good to be true — they probably are.
You probably know someone who’s been on one diet after the other, and still struggles to keep that extra weight off. There’s a reason fad diets don’t work on the long term. If you’re used to eating junk food and fast food all of the time, chances are after your fad diet program has run it’s course, you’re going to go right back to those unhealthy habits. Especially if your diet involved what are generally considered “junk” foods!
If you’re looking to loose weight the only healthy way to do so is through healthy eating and exercise.
Here are some tips from the Food Doctor:
– Limit eating out to once a week; when you do eat out opt for a healthier menu choice and to make it even easier on you most restaurants now indicate which menu options are healthier;
– Cut out the junk food; don’t cut out snacking — it’s better for you to eat smaller amount throughout the day, but cut out the chips, dips and candy. Instead have a handful of nuts, fresh or dried fruit, fresh veggies, a fruit & nut granola bar, even some crackers are a healthier option that chips — just watch your nutrients label;
– Make sure to have a vegetable or fruit with every meal; toss a handful of fresh or frozen berries into your morning cereal, or have it beside your eggs; make a delicious salad for lunch with dark greens, a variety of vegetables and chicken or salmon; serve dinner over a bed of dark greens, with a side of steamed veggies;
– Consider your low-fat options; all kinds of foods now come in low-fat options, like cheese, yogurt and of course milk;
– Watch your portions; portion control is almost always the biggest culprit when it comes to putting on weight, or not being able to get rid of your excess weight — use your smaller sandwich plates instead of your larger dinner plates for lunch and dinner; in fact do the same with all of your bowls, mugs and glasses — use a proper juice glass instead of a large tumbler. Does your coffee mug resemble a bowl? Time to downsize!
– Exercise! You just can’t get away from it. Go out for a walk every day — there’s no excuse. Walk on the spot while watching your favorite TV show. Head to the mall and do a few laps if the weather is lousy. And if you do have a physical reason for not being able to take that daily walk — try swimming! There’s almost always an option.
Losing and keeping it off is not about fad diets — it’s about a lifestyle change. Being conscious of what and how much you eat, and getting out and active.
Don’t get pulled in by the glitz and glamour of the fads. If you commit to a healthier lifestyle, you’ll be better off in the long run and won’t need to jump on the next fad that comes along, or the one after that, or the one after that.
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Tags: Diets, exercise, health tips
