Spa Dining

While this is by no means the first cookbook to feature the light, nutritious meals currently favored by diet-conscious Americans, it has the cachet of recipes garnered from the kitchens of some of our most prestigious health spas. Following descriptions of the ambience and regimes at 17 spasamong them the Golden Door and the Pritikin Longevity Center (both California), the Greenhouse (Texas), Gurney's Inn (New York), Four Seasons Hotel (Pennsylvania)Health Travel International, a spa counseling service, has selected outstanding recipes from the daily menus of each. Expectedly, entrees emphasize seafood, poultry and vegetables, but, they all sound delicious and average 200 calories or less per serving. Surprises include tempting ultralow calorie desserts (tangerine sorbet, cheesecake), sauces and salad dressings. Uncomplicated preparation and interesting ingredients combine to make this book one of the best of its kind. November 18