Notes from Editorial & Food Director, Pamela Clark 

1) The idea behind this diet is not to restrict what you eat, just how much of it you eat. 

On a two non-consecutive days a week, women should stick to a total of 2100KJ (500 cal) while men should eat 2500KJ (600 cal). As long as you keep to this limit, you can make the most of the remaining days.

2)Serving finger food to guests instead of a sit-down meal is a great way to entertain, especially if there are a lot of people to feed. The key is to keep the food coming throughout the evening, so be organised, and know what can be prepared ahead of time and how many guests to cater for.



3) When you're hungry, it can be too easy to cast aside good intentions in favour of whatever food is closest and easiest. This is where this book helps. With plenty of satisfying low-fat snacks to choose from, you will be able to ward off hunger, without blowing all the good work you've done on you diet. 



4)  You know you're about to eat someting special when it has a national day named after it. Each year on December 8th the US celebrates 'National Brownie Day'. We love them here, too. They're easy to make and whether they're fudgy or cake-like, we think they all deserve a brownie point because of the big, rich, chocolatey hit they give. 



5) Slow down and savour the finer things in life with good friends and a pot of your favourite tea. Here's your chance to spoil yourself with cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon, scones, lamingtons, melting moments and chocolate slice. Teatime will be your favourite time. 



6) Baked or chilled, light or decadent, classic or stylish cafe slices: what's not to love about cheesecakes? They may have been the height of sophistication during the seventies, but because they combine so well with the foods we love best- chocolate, berries, nuts - they've never gone out of fashion. Now is the time o rekindle your love affair with cheesecakes. 



7) More and more, prople are recognising the benefits of a vegetarian diet. Eating meals based on a variety of nutrient-rich pulses, grains and vegetables doesn't have to be boring - these recipes show just how versitle and delicious these ingredients can be. Even if you replce just one meat-based meal a week with these recipes, you're on your way to a healthier way of eating. 



8) No longer is the salad just a humble side; these big salads are substantial enough to be enjoyed as a main meal. there's plently of favourites as well as some fresh, new combinations to try for yourself. Best served on a shared plate for a casual meal, the big salad will fill you up. 



9) The food of France is an art form and is known for its sophistication, but don't let this intimidate you. These recipes are not fussy, they are simple and easy to follow. Try one or two dishes tonight, or create an entirely French feast for family and friends. 



10) Parents often worry about what to feed their babies when they start on solid foods, but it can be an exciting transition. This book contains plenty of puree recipes, as well as chunkier foods such as mash and rice, to help you increase the variety of food your baby eats.