Book Nook: 'The Cheater's Diet'

THE CHEATER'S DIET: The Sneaky Secrets to Losing Up to 20 Pounds in 8 Weeks Eating (and Drinking) Everything You Love, by Marissa Lippert (Dutton, $25.95).

If you've been a yo-yo dieter (and who hasn't?), you've probably got a list of foods you call "good" or "bad" - and you might say you're "cheating" when you eat something besides a leaf of lettuce.

But Lippert, a New York City-based nutritionist, says you can "have one or two cheat meals and treats each week . . . something fun, something 'naughty' " - "mac 'n' cheese, or pizza," for example - and still lose weight.

Notice she said once or twice a week?

THE SCOOP Despite the title hype, this book is an informative guide to current nutritional info. You'll find how to stock your work fridge, shop for the week, record your eating and much more.

THE BOTTOM LINE From helping you deal with liquor (cut it down) to scrumptious-sounding recipes (balsamic-glazed steak), Lippert presents an eating plan you can live with. Without cheating.