Eat all day. Use smaller plates. Drink lemon juice.

Those are just some of the strategies in the newest crop of diet books hitting the shelves that focus less on meal plans than on eating psychology and strategy.

Here are some of the new plans and some perspective from Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

I Can Make You Thin: The Revolutionary System Used by More Than 3 Million People

by Paul McKenna (Sterling Publishing)

* The plan: Through the use of psychological techniques, McKenna, a hypnotherapist, reprograms the way people think and act around food so they can conquer emotional eating, eat less and not feel deprived. The book comes with a hypnosis CD.

* Some perspective: Changing the way people think about food is important, says Blatner. But people still need to know what to eat, how much to eat, and what to do for exercise. The verdict is still out on the effectiveness of hypnosis for long-term weight loss.

The 4 Day Diet

by Dr. Ian K. Smith (St. Martin's Press)

* The plan: Don't get too excited. The diet is longer than four days. But Smith, founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge, has broken his program into seven, 4-day modules. The book has a list of foods to eat each day and more than 60 recipes.

* Some perspective: Four days per module means dieters won't get bored, says Blatner. But the book only gives a list of foods - not meals. "Most people know what to eat but need help putting together quick and easy meals."

Joy's Life Diet: Four Steps to Thin Forever

by Joy Bauer (Collins Living)

* The plan: L.I.F.E., as in Look Incredible, Feel Extraordinary. Bauer, diet expert for the Today show, presents four steps to help people shed pounds, including stripping away negative eating habits and reprogramming your appetite. The book includes daily menus and makeovers for family favorites.

* Some perspective: A well- rounded diet book, says Blatner. But a seasoned dieter won't find any new information in it, she said.

Snack Yourself Slim

by Richard J. Warburg and Tessa Lorant (The Thorn Press)

* The plan: Constant snacking. In this "non-diet" book, Warburg, an attorney who lost 18 pounds eating this way, and Lorant, an author, introduce the EATALL plan: eating a small portion of whatever you want (a very small portion of what you would normally eat in a day) at least every hour.

* Some perspective: Eating often is a good idea, says Blatner. But eating at least once an hour is inconvenient for most people, she said. Research shows successful dieters eat three meals and one or two snacks a day, she said.

The 9-Inch 'Diet': Exposing the Big Conspiracy in America

by Alex Bogusky with Chuck Porter (powerHouse Books)

* The plan: Use a smaller plate. Switching to a 9-inch dinner plate can decrease caloric intake 30 to 35 percent, according to the authors. But there's more to this than smaller plates. The book attacks the "root problem behind America's oversized behind: portion distortion."

* Some perspective: "We do know that you eat less from smaller plates," says Blatner. But a good diet includes healthier food in addition to watching portions, she said.

The Lemon Juice Diet

by Theresa Cheung (St. Martin's Griffin)

* The plan: Cheung claims lemon juice is a magic ingredient that stimulates the metabolism, lowers blood sugar and helps maintain a feeling of fullness. Her book includes a 24-hour mini detox, similar to the "Master Cleanse" diet, in addition to menus that incorporate lemon peel or lemon juice.

* Some perspective: There is no one miracle food, says Blatner. "This diet can cause weight loss because the meal plans are calorie-controlled and balanced - not because they contain lemon."

Back to Top