The Dessert-a-Day Diet

Sample Day of Meals

You're working out five days a week. (Not easy, we know.) Your reward: Indulge in sundaes, crepes, and chocolate -- and still lose weight! Pick one breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, and dessert each day from the choices here, aiming for a total of 1,500 calories. You'll lose a few pounds a week and never, ever feel deprived. Below is a sample meal plan to show you just how well you'll be eating as you shed those extra inches.

Breakfast

(about 300 calories)

Quick Breakfast Pizza
Cooking spray
1 egg plus 2 egg whites
1 whole-grain pita (5 inches), toasted
2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grapes
Make it: Spray skillet with cooking spray and scramble eggs. Top toasted pita with egg, cheese, and oregano. Broil for 5 minutes, until cheese is bubbling. Serve with grapes.

Snack

(about 150 calories)

Spicy Peanut Spread on Celery
1 tablespoon peanut butter
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/2 lime, juiced
4 medium celery stalks
Make it: Mix peanut butter, cayenne, and lime juice. (To soften peanut butter, microwave it for 30 seconds.) Spread on celery.

Lunch

(about 400 calories)

Turkey, Mozzarella, and Basil Wrap
2 small (6-inch) whole-grain tortillas
3 ounces turkey
11-ounce slice part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut in half
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 medium apple
Make it: Fill tortillas with turkey, cheese, and basil. Serve with apple.

Dinner

(about 500 calories)

Maple-Lime Salmon with Cilantro Couscous
4 ounces salmon
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup whole wheat couscous
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Dash of salt and pepper
1 cup frozen broccoli, cooked
1 teaspoon olive oil
Make it: Put salmon on a cookie sheet. Mix maple syrup with lime juice. Pour over salmon and broil for 8 to 12 minutes, until fish flakes with a fork. Bring water and couscous to a boil, remove from heat, and cover for 12 minutes. Stir cilantro, salt, and pepper into couscous; serve with salmon and broccoli drizzled with olive oil.

Dessert

(about 150 calories)

Sauteed Strawberry Sundae
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup light vanilla ice cream
Make it: Saute vinegar, honey, and strawberries for 3 minutes. Top ice cream with warm berries.