THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994              TAG: 9408240044
SECTION: FLAVOR                   PAGE: F2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   32 lines

SPICES CAN HELP YOU ENJOY LOW-FAT FOODS

PSYCHOLOGIST Doreen Virtue, author of ``The Yo-Yo Syndrome Diet,'' says you've got to enjoy the food to stick to a low-fat, healthful diet.

To compensate for lower fat, Virtue suggests consuming spicier meals.

If you avoid the heavy creams and cheeses, Italian dishes are ideal for light eating, Virtue says. So are Oriental dishes, if you lay off the fried meats with sauce.

Here are a few more of Virtue's tips:

A pound of dark chicken meat has 150 more calories and 23 more grams of fat than a pound of white chicken meat.

Use the minimum amount of cooking oil in recipes. Even the more healthful monounsaturated oils contain about 120 calories and 14 grams of fat per tablespoon. Steam, roast, broil or boil when possible.

White fish generally contains less fat and fewer calories than red fish. ITALIAN VELVEETA

Velveeta has gone Italiana. A new version of this old standby combines mozzarella, Parmesan, fontina, Asiago and Romano cheeses. Recipes are included. A 1-pound loaf costs about $3.19. by CNB