In The News: The Chopsticks Diet

Japanese chef Kimiko Barber's The Chopsticks Diet is the latest weight-loss book to hit bookstore shelves in England.

Part of the logic behind the book is that, as the author told London's Daily Telegraph, "the human brain takes 20 minutes to register what the stomach contains, so using chopsticks slows a person's consumption, leaving them feeling satisfied while eating less."

True, but there are a few caveats.

All of the recipes in the book are high in fiber and low in calories, making them suitable for weight loss whether eaten with a fork or chopsticks.

So, really, what we have is what the majority of diet books are: tried and true, decades-old advice wrapped in a new and shiny cover.

Although the advice of slowing down by eating with chopsticks makes sense within the context of, say, obscene large portions of fried rice or noodle dishes, it is not applicable to the main sources of excess calories in people's diets (try having soda, ice cream, or chips with chopsticks.)

It's also important to be aware of what you are putting between those chopsticks. Sushi rolls with tempura (fried) fish and globs of mayonnaise are no recipe for weight loss!