Why Women Need Chocolate

Waterhouse (Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell) claims that food cravings are natural and healthy. Unfortunately, cravings for chocolate and other sweets can derail the best of traditional diet plans. Still, Waterhouse believes her five-week, five-point nutrition plan for mind and body will engage a woman's instinctive food needs, her positive moods and her healthy body. Five small meals a day, she advises, are better than three larger ones because they satisfy one's hunger. Chocolate and sugar are permissible in moderation, as is fat. The author believes that even though a woman wants to lose weight, she need not reject sweets as ``forbidden,'' so long as her diet takes in the necessary fruits, grains and vegetables. She encourages self-indulgence but condemns overindulgence. And Waterhouse promotes exercise as a factor crucial to success in maintaining or losing weight. Although many diet-wary readers may want to consider her diet advice, the more skeptical will find it crass that she advertises her workshop and speaking services here. A glossary and reference section are included. (Jan.)