Despite all of the warning signs and media reports about teen and adult obesity, we generally continue to eat poorly. For example, as of June 30, 2008, McDonald’s earned $6 Billion. That’s a lot of Big Macs! And while many people can claim to have adopted a healthy eating policy at home, very few of us can honestly say that we never, or very rarely (once every 6 months) eat at the Golden Arches.
For example, I treat myself to a completely unhealthy eating day once per week. Now, the other six days I eat well (extremely well) but this weekly indulgence is vital. Not only for my sanity but for my diet as well, especially after a highly focused week of healthy eating. And where do I go? Where else, McDonald’s (until someone else can build a Big Mac combo, that’s where you’ll find me on my cheat day!)
Without question, eating one Big Mac per month or so will not kill anyone. But what happens when our urges take over and we find ourselves in that same line several times per week. As an active and food-conscious individual, falling off the Healthy Eating wagon begins a domino effect. First, my diet disappears. Slowly, I allow other foods into the house - mostly sweet-heavy treats like chocolate bars, cookies, specialty chilled coffees, sodas, etc. Then I lose energy and find it easier to sleep in than to worry about strength training or my cardio routine. This inevitably leads to a perpetual cycle of worse-eating, less-physical activity, and so on and so until I have gained a good 5 to 10lbs.
What really gets me is that I have just wasted all of my hard work of the prior six or so weeks! All of it is gone because I fell off that healthy eating wagon ouch.
Luckily for me, I recognize that my true appetite hungers for sweet foods. Better yet, I have discovered an alternative to several weeks of binge bad-food eating. My new answer to these cravings is Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet.
A cookie diet? Yes, you read that correctly, a cookie diet. At least that is how they market the product, although I wouldn’t recommend that healthy eating individuals trade in their regimented meal calendar for a year’s worth of diet cookies. Rather, the cookie diet makes sense as a way to get through those rough patches. Instead of polishing off a bag of double-stuffed Oreos, I might pound back a couple of Dr. Siegal’s cookies. This literally satisfies my sweet tooth and I find it much easier to get back on track.
The nice benefit to the Dr. Siegal’s Cookies is that they contain a decent protein count whereas my “regular” cookies barely have any. Plus, they fill me up, so I don’t have the equivalent of a bag to feel satisfied.
My recommendation would not be to order a three-month supply to replace your existing, healthy meals. But for those moments when you fall off that Healthy Eating wagon, Dr. Siegal’s treats are a great alternative to standing in line at the Arches and starting a self-perpetuating cycle of irresponsible eating and weight gain.
