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Nipping a Binge in the Bud

New York City, like most of the east coast, has been pounded with record snowfall. What do you do now that you are trapped indoors with packages of chips and cookies (which you know you should not have purchased in the first place) just begging to be scarfed down? Here are three tips to keep you on the straight and narrow.





(1) Chew Gum


My personal favorite is Dentyne Ice Artic Chill. Four pieces can keep my jaws occupied for the better part of an hour, long enough for those binge demons to subside. Total cost= 10 calories. The added benefit to chewing gum is that the repetitive jaw movement may increase your resting metabolism by as much as 20%, according to some studies. CHEW AWAY!


(2) Whiten Your Teeth


Purchase a teeth whitening gel, like Colgate Simply White. Not only will you have whiter teeth (the stuff really works!), but the taste of the product in your mouth will almost certainly kill any hunger pangs (trust me). Besides, you are not allowed to eat or drink anything but water for at least 30 minutes for the whitening to be effective.

If you don't think your teeth need whitening, maybe you should ask for a second opinion. I was at a dinner party last month catered by a private chef. The food was phenomenal, portobello mushroom fritters, lemon pasta, stuffed pork loin. Yes, it was a food orgy, but everyone deserves at least one free, unrestricted meal each week (more on the food freebies in later entries). But, getting to the point of the story, the chef joined us in the dining room to make sure everybody was having a good time. We all applauded, but then I stupidly asked him how the braces on his teeth felt. Unfortunately, he was not WEARING BRACES. His teeth were just badly stained. Needless to say, it was a very awkward moment all around. Moral of the story=your teeth can never be too white and Hugh's mouth is armed and extremely dangerous!


(3) Strip Naked in Front of a FULL-LENGTH MIRROR

Always worked for me.


Coming Wednesday: You can't diet successfully without exercise (but you knew that already, didn't you?)

Feb 17, 2003    3:57 pm
 
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