One of the most ridiculous fad diets ever invented is the cookie diet. The diet relies on eating cookies to control hunger and thus help people lose weight.

It's been more than 30 years since the cookie diet arrived on the scene. Perhaps you've never heard of it. And even if you have, you might be wondering if such a strange weight loss plan can actually work.

Fad diets are intended to help people lose a great deal of weight in a short period of time - they're popular because the weight loss tips they propose appear to be miraculous. Most fad diets center on some super weight loss food, much like the cookie diet centers on the cookie. These diets rely on slick pitches that make it seem silly not to buy and try the diet.

The cookie diet came about as the result of research into natural foods done for a book in 1975. The cookie diet consists of eating 6 cookies in place of breakfast and lunch, then consuming a normal dinner. People on the diet ate only 800 calories a day. People went wild over the cookie diet to the extent that 14 clinics opened in Florida. It wasn't long before over 200 doctors were regularly recommending the cookie diet. The clever doctor came out with soups and shakes that also contained the amino acids needed to control hunger.

A new version of the cookie diet became popular with Hollywood stars as the Hollywood cookie diet. The diet benefited from the media efforts of all the stars who tried it to lose weight.~Like the original cookie diet this Hollywood version replaced breakfast and lunch with cookies, then allowed a reasonable dinner.These cookies each contain 150 calories and fiber, protein and minerals.

Don't waste time with the cookie diet. Remember that good health comes from a balanced diet and an exercise program.In general this is a much healthier way to lose or maintain weight than relying on some fly by night miracle food, even if it is endorsed by someone you recognize from a movie.