Restaurants lighten up on menus

Not really.

"For the millions of Americans who entered 2008 a bit flabbier and made that perennial resolution to shed poundage some of the most familiar eateries have an alluring pitch for the new year: Eat, drink and be lighter."

Why would they allegedly do this?

"Even Taco Bell's yum added low-cal stuff. 'There's a battle of the bulge after the holidays,' says Tom Wagner, vice president of consumer insights. 'We don't want people eating at home. We want them to eat at Taco Bell.'"

Oh, yeah, the money.

"But 'lighter' items may do more harm than good, says Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders. 'The majority of what the fast-food chains sell is high in sugar, fat and calories," he says, and lighter items actually rarely are bought.'"

And the expert critic, well, look at him.

Except for Fitness Watch, you are on your own against the forces trying to fatten you up for the kill.