From the Los Angeles Times

Cookie-diet cookies get a taste test

Reviewed: Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet, Hollywood Cookie Diet, Smart For Life, Soypal Cookie Diet cookies

By Karen Ravn
January 19, 2009

Putting them to the taste test

Tempted to try a cookie diet? You have several to choose from, all designed to replace one -- or, more likely, two -- meals a day with cookies. Still, these aren't exactly cookie-cutter plans. Here are some vital statistics on each, plus comments on texture and taste from a panel of four unbiased cookie-loving consumers during an unscientific test of the cookie-eating experience. One caveat: None of our panelists was overweight and eagerly searching for a new diet to try.

 

SMART FOR LIFE

Daily plan: Instead of breakfast and lunch, eat six cookies and then have a balanced dinner. It's recommended to eat one cookie every two to three hours. With 60% of the ingredients organic, the cookies contain omega-3 fatty acids and no preservatives. A patent is pending on the company's blend of amino acids, fiber and complex sugars intended to curb hunger.

Flavors: chocolate chip, piña colada, Boca banana, Maine blueberry, cinnamon oatmeal raisin, garden pizza.

Nutrition: Per one 34-gram cookie: 105 calories, 1.5 grams of dietary fiber, 5 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat.

Comments: Texture: "Spongy." "More sponge-like than spongy." "Rubbery really." "Not rubbery, slightly crumbly."

Taste of nonchocolate chip cookies: "Sort of a chemical taste." "The taste isn't good, and it stays with you."

Taste of chocolate chip cookies: "This actually has real chocolate chips, or real-enough-for-me chocolate chips, and some sweet." "Pretty good."

 

DR. SIEGAL'S COOKIE DIET

Daily plan: Instead of breakfast and lunch, eat six cookies and then have a reasonable dinner. The cookies contain a secret blend of amino acids that are supposed to curb hunger.

Flavors: oatmeal raisin, chocolate, blueberry, banana and coconut.

Nutrition: Per one 24-gram cookie: 90 calories, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 5 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat.

Comments: Texture: "Moist and spongy." "Sort of like a scouring pad."

Taste of nonchocolate cookies: "No flavor whatsoever." "Sawdust comes to mind."

Taste of chocolate cookies: "This actually smells chocolaty." "I like this one."

HOLLYWOOD COOKIE DIET

Daily plan: Instead of breakfast and lunch, eat four cookies and then have a sensible dinner. It's recommended to space out the cookies -- breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack. Suggestions for dinner recipes are given.

Flavors: chocolate chip, lemon, oatmeal raisin, variety pack.

Nutrition: Per one 40-gram cookie: 150 calories, 3 grams of dietary fiber, 5 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of fat.

Comments: Texture: "Chewy." "This has the texture of a Fig Newton."

Taste of chocolate chip cookies (the only ones provided for the test): "I like this best." "This could pass for a regular cookie!" "Hands down, this has the most flavor." "It's quite chocolaty. Nonetheless, it doesn't taste good."

SOYPAL COOKIE DIET

Daily plan: Replace one meal -- preferably your highest-calorie meal -- with a packet of seven cookies. Made in Japan, the cookies are hard-baked and contain no preservatives.

Flavors: original, sesame, chocolate.

Nutrition: Per one serving of seven cookies: 33 grams total: 150 calories, 6 grams of dietary fiber, 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat.

Texture: "Crisp." "Like a cracker."

Taste of nonchocolate cookies: "My overall impression is a total lack of flavor." "This tastes exactly like Zweiback, and I love Zweiback."

Taste of chocolate cookies: "I'm so grateful for the chocolate, albeit so faint." "This tastes like a chocolate Zweiback."