WHEN on a diet, it is natural to have a "do not eat" list that's way lengthier than the "do eat" list.

"In fact, I don't have a 'do eat' list. All diets seem to suggest that eat barely enough to survive. For me it's 'die-yet' again!" says Meeta Prasad, a schoolteacher from Mahim and a chronic dieter.

This is exactly why sticking to an external diet plan is so hard, believes nutritionist Sushila Sharangdhar.

"If food is treated like a marginal need, you end up feeling starved. Then, the food pangs will make you over-eat the harmful foods," she elaborates.

In fact, Sushila asserts, there are some foods that will actually make you shed some pounds!

So, the time has finally come to sit and list down the foods you can not only binge on, but feel great about eating - they could be the secret to the slimmer you, after all.

(You can visit Sushila Sharangdhar's website at wellnessndiet.com)