STEALTH-HEALTH COOKING TIPS

Lose the fat, keep the flavor.

In 1987, before I found out that I prefer running over vegging-out in front of General Hospital, I was a 5'6" 16-year-old who weighed more than 180 pounds. Then I heard something that changed my life: If you eliminate 100 calories from your diet per day, you can lose 10 pounds in a year. So I started the elimination process, and within the next few years, I lost 55 pounds. I've kept them off largely by making these four realistic changes in my cooking. They slay every dieter's enemy-that feeling of deprivation-at no cost to you in taste.

1. Love a low-fat cheese

As long as you stick to a low-fat cheese, you can eat it in comfort-grilled on a sandwich or with macaroni-and still lose weight. Several low-fat varieties taste very close to traditional cheeses these days with a fraction of the fat. And they melt in a satisfying way. To keep the low-fat benefits, be sure to shred the cheese finely. This guarantees it will spread evenly, with fewer calories and less fat in every bite.

2. Stock up on salsa

Salsa is a dieter's gift-it's one of the few insta-flavor-explosions that's actually good for you. Most salsas are completely fat-free and full of fresh vegetables or fruits. Plus, salsa adds fiber to your meal, filling you up without a lot of added calories. Spoon 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa over a piece of baked or grilled fish or chicken breast; over omelets or poached eggs; on low-fat tacos; or on top of baked potatoes.

3. Embrace olive oil

It's easy to trick yourself into thinking you're eating a decadent meal by adding a touch of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oils are monounsaturated fats (the best kind) and have been linked to lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Extra virgin means no chemicals were used in the pressing; the finest ones should be labeled "first cold pressed" and "unrefined."

4. Cover for cream

It's amazing how easy it is to feed a common craving-cream sauce or gravy-with fat-free half-and-half, some broth, a bit of flour for thickening, and your favorite seasonings. Heavy cream has 51 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. The same serving of fat-free half-and-half has only 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, and still provides that rich texture of its full-fat counterpart.

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