The Social-Lite Diet – Day 4
IN her book, “How the Rich get Thin,” Dr. Jana Klauer acknowledges that, on a diet, even Rockefellers get cravings. See, I am like rich people! My craving? Food!
Fortunately, Klauer explains that cravings last only eight to 14 minutes, so if you can wait it out, you’ll be fine.
She recommends drinking a big glass of water during this time, because sometimes our brain confuses thirst with hunger. Maybe what I’m really craving is … water. Yeah, right.
Considering that I’ve already chugged about two quarts of water, the chances I’m parched are, um, nonexistent.
Since water hasn’t worked, I try her next suggestion, a protein snack. I cut myself a small piece of Jarlsberg Lite cheese.
It’s not exactly what I wanted – which was a bag of Fritos – but it is on my diet and I certainly don’t feel like I want any more of it.
The thing is, I still want those Fritos. I’ve wanted them since the very first day of the diet, when I was walking behind a colleague who’d just returned from the snack machine. In her wake, as she peeled open the bag, the scent of fresh Frito wafted back, hitting me with such strength I was immediately returned to my youth, when the chips were considered a vegetable.
I’m sorry, I think I’ve lost my train of thought.
What works far better for me is a little retail therapy. Dr. Klauer suggests rewarding yourself for sticking to the diet, and I find this a little more distracting than a piece of cheese.
One of her clients even bought herself a pair of Jimmy Choos for every 10 pounds she lost. Now that’s distracting.
Now, Jimmy Choos are not for the likes of me, but Bloomingdales I can handle. With the sale on, however, there are about 10 million women there, and it looks like all of them had their hair blown out that morning and about two-thirds of them have the same nose.
How about a pedicure? That’s the ticket.
Which is where, with the water whirling around my comfortably soaking feet, I learn about clenbuterol. According to one of the fashion magazines, this drug – normally used on racehorses – is how certain starlets have been able to drop a bunch of weight in a preposterously short time. Evidently, it builds muscle and burns fat at the same time. Of course, it could also give you a heart attack.
No Fritos … or a heart attack. I guess things could be worse.
katherine.pushkar@nypost.com
MENU FOR DAY 4 OF THE SOCIAL-LITE DIET
Breakfast
An omega-3 egg omelet with 1 ounce of low-fat cheese plus bell peppers, mushrooms and onions
Coffee or tea, if desired
Midmorning
A cup of green tea
Drink several glasses of water throughout the morning
Lunch
4 ounces of grilled red snapper, with a side salad
Large glass of mineral water
Afternoon snack
8 ounces of low-fat plain yogurt with cinnamon and Splenda
Drink several glasses of mineral water throughout the afternoon
A cup of green tea
Dinner
4 to 5 ounces grilled wild Alaskan salmon or Arctic char, lightly brushed with olive oil
Lightly steamed asparagus spears with lemon juice with freshly ground pepper
Steamed broccoli topped with 1 ounce of grated Parmesan cheese
A glass of skim milk
Bedtime
2 calcium citrate with vitamin D supplements (500 mg)
Need a little sweet? Try cooking up some Candied Pumpkin Seeds, which only takes 20 minutes and are a great snack to curb those cravings.
Canola, safflower, or sunflower oil
2 tbs. granulated sugar
2 tbs. Splenda
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground ginger
1 medium-size egg white
½ tps. freshly grated ginger
2 cups raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wet a paper towel with oil and lightly grease pan.
3. Whisk together the sugar, Splenda, cinnamon and ginger.
4. Beat the egg white till foamy in a medium-size bowl.
5. Add the dry ingredients and fresh ginger to the egg white and thoroughly combine.
6. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet with sides.
7. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and allow time to cool.
9. Makes 8 servings. Keep leftovers in airtight container.
