The Snowbird Diet: 12 Days to a Slender Future--And a Lifetime of Gourmet Dining

Contrary to what the title might imply (snowbirds are the white-skinned and pudgy northerners who fly south at the first sign of frost), this diet is not a seven-day vacation wonder; rather it is a serious weight-loss regimen. Developed by the doctors at the Southwest Bariatric Nutrition Center, the diet works on a 12-day cycle. Appetizing meals are its main attraction: crabmeat, salad with rice, caviar consomme, swordfish en moutarde, chicken broth with escaroleall totalling less than 1000 calories per day. The shopping lists are immense, though, and the recipes, while mouthwatering, are not inexpensive to prepare. As any serious dieter knows, cutting calories is only the beginningone should exercise and make a commitment to changing certain habits. With that in mind, this book may be more useful to dieters on other plans who are hankering for gourmet recipes. (February)