Balanced Diet Plan

Cookies For Diet?

It's been estimated that there are more than 33 thousand different diet plans on the market with 48 million Americans on one of them at any given moment. One of the fast growing segments of the diet craze: cookie diets. CBS4 Health Reporter Cynthia Demos looks at one in particular that has helped some local people shed pounds and improve their health.

Jolynn Labarbera admits she's tried a number of different diets over the years.

"South Beach, The Cabbage Soup Diet, I've even tried diet pills," said Labarbera, who was looking for something quick and easy to help her lose weight.

So did Shake Potoukin. "I tried Weight-Watchers; too many problems preparing and all that. This is so much easier," said Potoukin.

Both women chose the Smart for Life diet plan which claims to be 60% organic. Under the plan, dieters eat cookies, shakes, soups or muffins as a substitute for breakfast and lunch.

"The key here is you have to have a diet that is well balanced so you don't feel fatigue, you are still able to function and you're losing the weight that you want to lose," said Dr. Andy Mencia, a Fort lauderdale gerontologist.

Dr. Mencia said his clients are losing 15-20 lbs. a month. But what surprised him the most was what happened to Stuart Klein who had elevated triglyceride and sugar levels.

"I was totally skeptical at first when the doctor told me eat cookies and you won't be hungry during the day. I didn't believe it, but it's worked," Klein said.

"He noticed first that his weight started coming down but when he saw the blood test, that was the convincing factor when he saw his triglyceride level going all the way down to normal range," said Dr. Mencia.

Dr. Mencia says the balanced diet plan can become a way of life and end the vicious dieting cycle that can take a toll on your health.

"When you lose a lot of weight and you gain that weight back that's horrible for your heart, most of your internal organs, your skin," explained Dr. Mencia.

All three dietarian(s) explained they liked the convenience of the Smart for Life plan, how cheap it was and how much energy they have.

"It fills you up so you don't have those hunger pangs," said Labarbera.

"I probably pay less for the cookies than I do if I go out for lunch a couple times a week," admitted Klein.

"I think I'm shapelier than I was before," Potoukin said with a smile.

On the Smart for Life plan you can have 6 cookies a day and eat a healthy dinner.

There are other cookie diets out there that claim to cost less but on average this plan costs about $9.50 a day.

To learn more, one can contact Dr. Mencia (dietarian)at (954) 489-1345.

There are several types of diets to consider. In view of this, a balanced diet plan will have both an upside and a downside. Below is a brief review of some of the more popular balanced diet plan.

The Biggest Loser Club

The Upside: Similar to the popular TV show, the online club of the same name starts with a diet profile: current height and weight, and a few basic goals. Your daily caloric intake is estimated and a series of personalized information is presented: daily meal plans, recipes and grocery lists. Exercise is a key player, too. Members have access to fitness demonstrations and online chats with fitness experts from the TV show.

The downside: Sometimes online communication just isn't the same as looking someone in the eye and talking and interacting on a personal basis.

Protein shake diet

The upside: Dieters often use these shakes as meal replacements because they are high in the proteins we need, but low in fat. They are a relatively easy way to restrict calories without missing out on sweet treats.

The downside: It's not a permanent solution. Troy tells us that our gastro-intestinal tract is designed to have a variety of different foods, textures and fibers, so a lifetime of smooth shakes, even with the healthy amount of protein and vitamins, isn't our body's ideal meal plan.

South Beach Diet

The upside: This plan emphasizes the consumption of "good carbohydrates" and "good fats" versus the bad ones, which impair the body's insulin from processing sugars and fats. Like other low-carb plans, South Beach is geared toward improving cholesterol and insulin levels.

The downside: "Some people want to lose weight as fast as possible and keep themselves in the highly restrictive phase for the entire time and that's not really how the program is designed. It's meant to make people step up to a reasonable calorie control level."

Weight Watchers

The upside: It's an oldie but goodie that emphases good eating choices, healthy habits, a supportive environment and exercise, not just a focus on food.

The downside: Since each food or beverage you consume has a point allocated to it, it can be rather tedious to do the math every time you open your mouth to eat. But, usually the results prove to be worth it.

Best Life Diet

The upside: This was one that Oprah helped make famous. Dr. Bob Greene's diet has three phases, a strategy that leads to slimming, nutritional eating and increased physical activity. He doesn't advocate a strict calorie count, and emphasizes a holistic approach to healthy eating and reasonable portions.

The downside: Such a balanced diet plan requires dedication and a lot of discipline to stay with it all the time." (learn more about dietarian)