Read the labels to know for sure

How many sneaky diet words can you think of that are designed to pull the diet-wool over our eyes so we think we are eating better?

Low Calorie.  Low Carb. Low Fat. Organic.

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research reported that when “diet words” are used, it actually caused people to eat more, especially dieters, since they are focused on trying to eat less forbidden foods. Non-dieters were less likely to fall for the “diet words.”

Most dieters assume that if it has a healthy name, then it is.  Wrong.  There’s no way to know unless you read the label.

Recent research also suggests that organic food benefits from a “halo” effect, tricking people into thinking it’s healthier, that there is significantly less calories and fat and more fiber in organic food — also not necessarily true.

Sonja by fountain in Las Vegas

These foods can be the exact same thing:

Fruit Chews = Candy Chews

Veggie Chips = Potato Chips

Fruit Smoothie = Milkshake

Salad = Pasta

Can you think of others? 

Before you buy something because it has one of those words on it, read the label first.  Read Harvard Study Reveals “Calories In, Calories Out” because no matter what you eat, that’s what it boils down to when trying to lose or maintain weight.  Don’t let the sneaky words, designed to coax even more money out of your already diet-weary wallet, get  you.

Sonja in Santa Monica, California, close to where the stars live

Movie and TV stars are in the public eye, and scrutinized for their figures every day.  Talk about pressure!  Want to know their Living Thin secrets?  I did a little research, and found out what some of our favorites do to stay thin:

Cameron Diaz:  This beach beauty actress loves to grill fresh vegetables, chicken, fish, steak and shrimp, with just a little oil and salt.  For breakfast, she eats egg whites, sauteed tomatoes, and steel-cut oatmeal, all mixed together, and stays away from pasta or white bread.  And although she loves fried chicken and french fries, she doesn’t eat them anymore because she felt like it was becoming too much of a strain on her body to digest.  Cameron’s treat:  Hot dogs and beer at a Los Angeles Dodgers game (including all the works and mayo).  

Valerie Bertinelli:  America’s Sweetheart from the TV Show “One Day at a Time,” Valerie lost 40 pounds on Jenny Craig and became one of their most famous spokeswomen — and she’s kept it off for over for over three years.  Valerie likes chicken on the barbecue, lean proteins and vegetables, and also Jenny Craig meals like Orange Chicken and Chicken Marsala, and turkey burgers.  When she found her weight creeping up on her a little when she approached 50 (“I’m Italian and cooking and eating are in my blood!”), she jumped right on it and got back down immediately.  Valerie’s treats:  White cheddar popcorn, grilled fresh fruit kabobs, reduced fat pound cake topped with a mountain of berries.

Britney Spears:  This hot mama is always getting scrutinized for her figure, and always seems to be able to pop back into shape.  Britney says: 1) no fruit juice, 2) eat plenty of fresh fruit, and avacados, 3) cut out french fries and other bad eating habits, 4) drink coffee with skim milk, instead of frappucinos.  When Britney really wants to get slim, she sticks to a 1,500-calorie-a-day food plan and makes choices like baked fish with broccoli.  Britney’s treat:  Sundays are cheat days.

Angelina Jolie:  One of the best-known hot bodies in Hollywood, Angelina likes the six-small-meals-a- day plan.  She enjoys steamed sea bass, steamed beef and vegetables, watches her portions and sticks with a high protein, low carb food plan.  Angelina also likes soy milk and stays away from sugar.  Whenever Angelina needs to detox, she does a popular celebrity weight loss cleanse called the Lemonade Detox Diet for 3-5 days that consists of drinking a mixture made up of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper & water (no solid food).  

Brad Pitt:  Our designated male for this post had to be a hunk, one who has had to show his bod in movies like “Thelma and Louise,” ”Fight Club” and “Troy.”  To get in shape for those roles, Brad followed a high protein, low carb plan, eating chicken, turkey, lean meats, eggs, tuna and cottage cheese; and also whey protein powder drinks and protein bars.  He ate whole wheat grains, green vegetables, oats, rice cakes, salads, bananas, brown rice and some pasta.  For other times, Brad also likes the 6-small-meals-a-day plan (like wife Angelina Jolie), and always watches his carb instake.  For treats: Now that Brad’s a dad, he believes in a little treat every now and then, and for Easter this year Brad bought his kids goody bags full of chocolate-covered pretzel rods, gummy butterflies, gummy cherries and jelly beans.

From the above, I like these ideas best:

1)  Portion control (Calories in, calories out)

2)  Getting back on track (Diet Redemption; You always get another chance)

3) Let yourself have treats (No More Bad Foods)

Delicious Mexican Food

I love Mexican food!

I used to think I had to avoid Mexican food because it was ”fattening,”  but after I started living the thin lifestyle, I found ways to eat Mexican food and maintain a  happy weight.  Knowing what’s in Mexican food is the trick; knowledge is power.  Here are 5 ways to  enjoy Mexican food — and not gain weight.  

1. Watch out for hidden fat:  Flour tortillas, corn tortillas, corn chips, refried beans, all look innocent enough, but are made with lard or oil (eat sparingly). 

2. Beware the Mexican food add-ons:  Sour cream, guacamole and cheese are all favorites, and all pack a wallop in the calorie area at about 100 calories a tablespoon.  Skip them if you can, or have only a little.

3.  Make these choices:  Fajitas (stir-fry chicken or beef and vegetables, and the rest

Mexican buffet

of the ingredients you control the portions);  Cocida (Mexican beef soup, clear broth with tons of vegetables), Calabacita (squash casserole, plus other vegetables); grilled chicken salad (lettuce, onions, tomatoes, just a little shredded cheese, use salsa for dressing).

 4. Steer clear of anything that looks like it’s been dropped in the grease:  

Chimichangas, flautas, rolled tacos, sopapillas, anything battered and fried.

5.  Eat lots of Salsa! Beautiful Salsa!  I think you could have as much salsa (chunky version is pico de gallo), and never gain weight because it is so low in calories and has zero fat.  So if you are going to add anything to your Mexican meal, add salsa!  Use it as a salad dressing substitute,  or as an addition to anything you are eating.  It will never hurt you. 

Yummy Salsa!

Salsa will also clear up your sinuses, and some people claim salsa cures the common cold.  It may very well be the “perfect” food.  I am always looking for an excuse to eat salsa!

Remember, there are no “bad” foods (read:  “Bashing a Common Diet Belief; No More Bad Foods,”) and that goes for Mexican food as well.  Just remember to tread lightly, eat everything in moderation, and most importantly — Enjoy!