Want to cut fat from your meals without noticing it's gone? AOL Health has eight dietary tricks to skim the fat. One smart move? Order steak fries when you're craving taters. Here's why.

We at That's Fit love us our veggies -- and have plenty of advice on going veg (full-time or part time), but we found another interesting take on the benefits of a vegetarian diet. AOL Health reports that one cowboy who gave up meat for four weeks at Dr. Oz's urging and under his guidance lost 30 pounds, reduced his waist by six inches and was able to stop taking medication for cholesterol and diabetes.

As we head into the holiday season parties and guilty-pleasures lie ahead, as do food pushers -- the ones who just aren't satisfied till you've had that last piece of cake. Your safeguard? Head to AOL Health to learn how to successfully combat the best of the pushiest food pushers.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

The Zone Diet, devised by Barry Sears, M.D., and introduced in 1995, gained popularity through celebrity dieters like Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Madonna.

Like other weight-loss plans, the Zone Diet encourages dieters to cut calories, especially those from carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. It encourages people looking to lose weight to eat lots of lean meats and other foods filled with healthy omega-3 fatty acids as well as fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. To keep their blood-sugar levels stable and fend off hunger pangs, those on the plan eat five small meals a day.

Unlike some diets, the Zone Diet doesn't force people to buy certain foods, which can help cut down on the costs that sometimes accompany these plans. There are, however, a line of Zone Diet supplements. People who choose to eat them should be warned that they can be expensive.

Sounds perfect, right? Not so fast.

The diet discourages dairy consumption, which can keep those on the Zone Diet from getting several essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, Vitamin E and calcium. Another common complaint is that the low-carb plan leaves dieters too tired to exercise. Coffee and soda intake can get tricky on the plan, too, because caffeine, which causes insulin levels to spike, is considered a no-no.

Others have a hard time understanding the 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat (40-30-30) ratio that Dr. Sears says will make your metabolism function best. These restrictions can be especially problematic when you're dining out. Dieters are also required to eat within one hour of waking and, roughly, every two to three hours after.

Additionally, Zone Diet creators claim -- despite a lack of evidence -- that those who follow the plan will decrease their risk of cancer, heart disease and other conditions while improving athletic performance.

If you have decided to lose weight, one of your best bets is a healthy, low-fat diet, paired with exercising several times a week. That's Fit has Diet and Weight Loss tips to help.

Read the full Zone Diet Review and Zone Diet Foods List from AOL Health.

Like a hefty helping of tomatoes with your meal? Then you're in luck. A new study from the UK's Reading University shows that tomatoes may help control hunger.

If you thought BPA was only hiding in your plastic, here's a health update: the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports tells us BPA is in a variety of name-brand canned food items including Progresso Vegetable Soup and Campbell's Condensed Chicken Soup.

Now for a light-hearted link we love: 10 workout videos to get you LOLing at your desk, if not well, exercising. Hey, laughter burns calories too.

Whether extra stress, sex (hey -- you were thinking it, too) or sick days is the reason you've lost a few extra pounds, our keep-the-weight-off guide will keep you looking slim in your loose-fitting clothes.

Are you making the most of your meals by filling up on the hottest antioxidants -- nutrients that can help you prevent wrinkles and grow shinier hair and stronger nails? Click through AOL Health's photo slide show of the best of the best nutritional powerhouses out there.

You may have realized your Kraft Mac and Cheese contains no real cheese, but did you know that Smucker's "100 percent fruit" label is anything but truthful? Ingredient secrets food companies don't want you to know.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

That's Fit would like to wish our very own Senior Editor Jennifer Fields good luck at the New York City Marathon this Sunday! Each week Jennifer has been sharing advice and news on all things running in her column Fit Running. So if you want to learn about which new piece of gear is really worth it, or get inspired by runners overcoming amazing odds, be sure to check it out. We'd also like to send a big "Good Luck" to AOL's Senior Home & Garden Editor Alison Mezzafonte and everyone else participating in the marathon this weekend. If you're running in the marathon, please let us know in the comments section below.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

At That's Fit and AOL Health we certainly love yoga (for weight-loss, to improve sex and more!), but Dr. Oz gave us one more reason to harness our inner-yogis: Loosening your muscles through yoga may mean you're less likely to injure yourself in your other fitness activities. Find 24 more health tips from Dr. Oz.

Got a case of the Monday afternoon slumps? Continue reading to find out why toast could help improve your sleep.

Ahh, the late-night fridge and cupboard rounds...Tempting though they may be, midnight snacks could hurt your chances of catching some Zzzs.

Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil (also called linseed oil) comes from flaxseeds and is available in liquid and capsule form. Whole, crushed or powdered flaxseed can be mixed with water or juice and taken orally, or can be sprinkled on foods. Although flaxseed contains many healthy components, it is primarily made up of three ingredients: Omega-3 essential fatty acids ("good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects), lignans (which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities) and fiber (both the soluble and insoluble types).

Since flaxseed contains soluble fiber, like that found in oat bran, it is considered an effective laxative. Studies of flaxseed have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, also thought to be a benefit, report mixed results. Additionally, some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid, also called ALA (a substance found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil) may benefit people with heart disease. But not enough reliable data is available to determine whether flaxseed is effective for heart conditions.

There are some differences between flaxseed and flaxseed oil that should be noted. Flaxseed contains lignans (phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens), while flaxseed oil preparations lack lignans; flaxseed oil alone contains neither the fiber nor the phytochemicals of whole flaxseed.

Flaxseeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available, otherwise they just pass through. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well-tolerated and few side effects have been reported. However, since flax has such a high fiber content, it's best to start with a small amount and increase your intake slowly, otherwise cramping and a "laxative effect" can result. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may have an especially strong reaction to it. Flaxseed, like any supplemental fiber source, should be taken with plenty of water; otherwise, it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, even cause intestinal blockage. The fiber in flaxseed may also lower the body's ability to absorb oral medications, so it's often advised that flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements. The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known, but one to two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, according to the Flax Council of Canada.

Black cohosh has a history of use for arthritis and muscle pain, but today, it is one of the more popular herbal remedies and nutritional supplements used primarily to treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can occur during menopause. Black cohosh has also been used for menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, as well as to induce labor.

Black cohosh (known as both Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa), a member of the buttercup family, is a perennial plant that is native to North America. Initial research on black cohosh suggests that it may improve some menopausal symptoms for up to six months. But while preliminary evidence is encouraging, the currently available data is not sufficient to support a recommendation on the use of the herb for menopausal symptoms.

How black cohosh works isn't understood. The safety of black cohosh in pregnant or breast-feeding women or children hasn't been established. Black cohosh is sometimes used by nurse-midwives to induce labor, but it should never be used by a pregnant woman without supervision by a qualified healthcare provider, because it could stimulate uterine contractions and result in miscarriage. Because black cohosh may act like the hormone estrogen in the body, it could also potentially interfere with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

Photo: Jupiterimages

From your bra size (large may indicate diabetes, ladies) to the width of your calves (skinnier is the problem here -- it may signal heart trouble), body characteristics can indicate a wealth of information about your overall health. Discover your body's 10 weirdest health clues this week on AOL Health.

Bethenny Frankel will be putting the 'wife' back in "The Real Housewives of New York" this season. The reality TV star and natural foods chef recently confirmed her engagement to Housewives co-star Jason Hoppy, according to PEOPLE magazine.

Frankel, 38, is the author of The New York Times bestseller, Naturally Thin, which offers simple rules to stop dieting and rethink your relationship with food. She also has a line including a line of all-natural baked goods, and her SkinnyGirl margarita.

Frankel and Hoppy have been dating for nearly a year, when they met at the nightclub Tenjune. He proposed at her Upper East Side apartment, surprising her with an 8-carat diamond ring. The couple has not set a date yet.