That's Fit

Losing weight fast is widely regarded as really unhealthy. But researchers in Louisiana are questioning this notion, according to this article on Calorie Lab. In recent studies, diet very low in calories (we're talking 890 calories a day here) were shown to be and effective and fast way to lose weight without leading to dangerous loss of bone density.

I don't know about you but I'm still not convinced. There's no way eating less than 1000 calories a day can be good for you.

However, in related news, the same article points out that weight loss surgery like gastric bypass surgery, can lead to extensive bone loss. Researchers say that taking higher doses of supplements may help.

Few things are more refreshing on a summer's day than a cold drink on a hot patio. But alcohol is normally a no-no for dieters. Simply put, they're full of empty calories, particularly if you fancy sweet cocktails.

eDiets recently put together a list of sweet-but-not-sinful summer cocktails that you can enjoy without packing on too many calories. On their list of healthy drinks:

• Strawberry Lemonade Martini
• Berry Blast Spritzer
• Less Guilt Margarita
• Summer Breeze Punch
  

What's your favorite summertime drink? Mine is a low-cal Mojito, made with one part white rum, two parts club soda, flavoured with lime, mint and just a touch of sweetener.

When I was a young girl, my family spent out summers at a cottage in the northern part of our state. It was lovely waking up early in the morning and going for a swim in the lake. We'd spend the mornings and afternoons at the cottage, but then we'd head out to explore the neighboring areas. One of my favorite spots was a fishing village on the edge Lake Michigan. We'd shop and buy fish fresh off the boat -- a delicious dinner just waiting to be baked or grilled.

Most fish and many shellfish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, most seafood is only 20 to 50 calories per ounce. So, with healthy preparation, seafood is a wonderful addition to your dinner plate. Check out some of these great recipes from Self Magazine:

• Blue-Claw Crab Boil with Asian Condiments.
• Seared Sea Scallops with Lemongrass Sauce.
• Steamed Fish with Scallions and Ginger.

It's almost Cinco de Mayo, which is, unfortunately, one of my favorite holidays to celebrate because, even though it packs a lot of calories, I really love Mexican food. And, what good is an enchilada without a margarita?

In case your mouth is watering just thinking about a cold, delicious margarita (because, honestly, mine is watering just writing about it), I've pulled together some links that look like good options. They'll keep your calories lower than a regular margarita, but it's no free pass -- most of these still pack over 100 calories per serving. But, if you have a recipe you dig, share the love! And feliz Cinco de Mayo!

• Fitnessmagazine.com -- Frozen Lime Margarita
• Hungry-Girl.com -- Rockin' Razzy Rita, HG's Fruitylicious Margarita, and HG's Magical Low-Cal Margarita
• Ehow.com -- Delicious Low-Cal Margarita
• MargaritaTexas.com -- Low-Cal Margarita
• Suite101.com -- Low Calorie Agave Margarita

There is always room for an occasional treat in any healthy diet. (Occasional is a concept I have trouble with!) But though an occasional treat won't bust your good nutrition track record, if you're serious about lowering the amount of fat and calories you eat, you can tweak your favorite recipes to make them healthier.

For instance, the oil that's used to make brownies moist can be switched out for applesauce. You can also use half of the nuts called for in a recipe and toast them instead, which will bring out their flavor. Other tips include:

• Use only the white of the egg to save 60 calories.
• Use canned pumpkin instead of vegetable oil.
• Add a puree of potato, celery, and onion to soups instead of cream.
• Choose meats that are labeled "loin" or "round" or ground meats that are 90% lean.
• Cook poultry with the skin on, but remove before eating.
• Use vinegars instead of oil based marinades.
• Replace salt and soy sauce with seasonings instead.
  
  

In general, recipes with low-fat substitutions tend to cook faster, so you may need to adjust your cooking time. For more calorie cutting tips, see AOL Body's Easy Ways to Cut 100 Calories.

I don't know about you, but I love flipping through the pages of Cooking Light magazine (or, really, any gourmet food magazine). The pictures are gorgeous and inspiring, and the recipes are well written -- even I haven't managed to botch any of their recipes. However, while the pictures and dishes send me into a state of bliss, there is something I don't like -- the ingredient lists that run the length of my arm and cost that, plus a leg.

For special occasions, I'm willing to spend a bit extra for special ingredients. However, if I'm looking for an everyday recipe that I can make on a weekly basis, I don't want to have to keep purchasing a huge variety of expensive ingredients. I want a recipe that looks and tastes like a fancy dish, doesn't pack a ton of calories, and doesn't blow my budget every time I make it. Is that so much to ask?

I generally try making the recipe as it's written the first time, and remove or substitute something for the expensive ingredients after I've tasted it. It's not a perfect system, but it works for me. Do you have tricks to keep costs down on would-be cost-prohibitive recipes? Or do you just bite the bullet and make the dishes will all ingredients listed? Or, do you just find healthy recipes that are inexpensive to make in the first place?

Madonna recently revealed that her husband, Guy Ritchie, used the cookie diet to lose weight. On the 800-calorie-per-day cookie diet, a person can eat one meal a day and up to six nutritional cookies.

She didn't really appreciate the diet, however. Though Guy lost weight, apparently, he also lost his libido. Madonna said, "My husband went on that cookie diet and it was such a turn-off because he didn't want to have sex." Not exactly an endorsement for the weight loss product, I'd say.

Though Ritchie, as well as fellow celebs Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, lost weight on the cookie diet, its 800-calorie per day regimen is far too restrictive to be healthy. To learn some weight loss tricks that are healthy, check out AOL Body's diet page.

You see it everywhere now: the "Low Fat" marketing pitch. Many processed, frozen and fresh foods are advertised this way, along with plenty of beverages. That's grand, but fat content is not the only variable to look at when deciding when to eat or drink something.

How about something sweetened with Splenda (instead of real sugar) that has "low fat", but still packs a wallop of calories? It still may not be a good choice.

So, how do food manufacturers add in taste once they've removed all the fat from those various products? Why, adding sugar, of course. So, "very low fat" may also mean "incredibly high calories".

If you find yourself constantly hungry and struggling not to snack, you might be suffering needlessly. Believe it or not there are some foods you really can have as much of as you want of -- "free" foods, so to speak. Here's a quick list of calorie-free (or guilt-free at least) foods to curb your cravings and hunger pangs:

• Hot tea (with Splenda if you like it sweet). The volume and warmth will satisfy, plus you'll get the awesome benefits of the antioxidants and other properties tea has become so famous for.
• Water. Same principles as the tea in that the volume will help you feel fuller, plus it can suppress the appetite and help your body metabolize fat. Try drinking a big glass of water before you snack -- you'll eat less.
• Egg whites. As long as you make them without loads of butter or other additions they're low in calories, high in protein, and have no fat/no cholesterol.
• Crunchy veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts. Again, as long as you pass on the fattening toppings and ranch dressing you can't really overdo it or eat too many!
• Citrus fruits and berries. Very low in calories and full of necessary nutrients and vitamins.
• Sugar-free Jell-O. Easy to make, sweet, and very low-cal!