I recently received an email offer for a hand held computer that contains food fact tables, non volatile memory to hold the user's input data (food types and amounts, height, frame type) and calculates the total calories or carbohydrates that the dieter might want to track or limit.

Rather clever, and it will probably sell well.

However, if the dieter chooses safe food types, he/she can eat huge amounts without ever counting either calories or carbohydrates, and still lose weight. Of course, limiting consumption to moderate amounts will speed weight loss, and allow stabilizing at one's ideal weight.

Rather than reduce or bypass parts of the digestive system, the most effective weight loss surgery is to staple ... the mouth.

Here's a useful secret. A small amount of fat can satisfy hunger better and longer than a large amount of low fat protein concentrate. Restrict that fat to low- or un- saturated types, such as available in nuts, eggs, legumes, perhaps an avocado (if you are near the low cost sources), and you won't put your cardiovascular system at risk. Some use of truly lean meats can be healthful, but don't overlook soy bean tempeh and similar high protein plant foods which have no saturated fat. Eat as much as you can hold of vegetables, fruits, and grain foods, prepared without added sauces, sugars, dressings, oils, butter, margarine, cheeses, and so forth.

Restrict your consumption on any high energy foods, such as alcohols, refined sugars, fats and oils -- especially the saturated fats. Eat the calories you need for the amount of your physical activity, but not more.

Such diets need not be boring. Fantastic recipes from around the world are now available on the internet. Just learn how to be selective, and/or to modify the ingredients to safe choices.

** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. **