Stay-Sexy Diet Secrets

There's nothing more boring than someone droning on about the calories in everything. And what man wants a girlfriend who only nibbles salad? 'The sexiest solution is to keep your diet a secret from your man,' says India Knight, co-author of Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet (Penguin Books). 'At least until you've been together a while.'

Here's how...

POTENTIAL DISASTER #1
You're on a first date and green salad is the only diet-friendly option on the menu.
What's HOT: Treat yourself to any main course but then say you're stuffed and have a coffee instead of a fattening pudding. Try to be extra good the next day.
What's NOT: Ordering a salad and then pinching half of his chips.

POTENTIAL DISASTER #2
Your new lover produces a bottle of squirty cream when you're in bed.
What's HOT: Smother yourself in the cream and get him to lick it off; when it's his turn, get some (zero-calories) ice cubes and use your imagination.
What's NOT: Saying, 'Oh my God – that stuff's got a million calories in it!'

POTENTIAL DISASTER #3
A boyfriend treats you to his favourite signature dish: spaghetti carbonara with garlic bread.
What's HOT: Saying he's the best cook ever and buying him the latest Jamie Oliver book, marking out low-calorie recipes you like with Post-its.
What's NOT: Eating only half of what he serves you (he'll feel offended).

POTENTIAL DISASTER #4
Your man starts eating chocolate while you watch TV.
What's HOT: Chopping some exotic fruits (papaya, mango and litchi) into chunks and feeding each other.
What's NOT: Hiding his chocolate (he'll only buy more!).

Author: Sarah Owen