Calm down and eat the dumpling.

There are certain obvious items to avoid when you’re trying to lose weight: fries, Twinkies, hot dogs. And then there are borderline dieting behaviors that some people might caution you against, but are not hard-and-fast No-Nos. If you have any chance of surviving a long-term diet, you must allow yourself particular treats that enliven your earthly existence (even if they aren’t A++ healthy). Below, I have listed my It’s-Ok rules. These are the habits that, if I kicked them to the curb, I might lose weight faster. And yet, I don’t really care, so away from the curb they remain.

1. Full-fat dairy. Ever tried eating low-fat cottage cheese? Personal take: Capital G Gross. Yogurt, cottage cheese–I eat whatever fat percentage I want. Notably, I get 2% fat cottage cheese. N.B. I do drink skim milk, but only because I think other milk variations taste like cream.

2. Cheese. If someone told me I had to be vegan, I’d kick him in the teeth. Since I don’t use salt very much, sometimes I use cheeses such as Asiago or Parmesan to flavor my soups or veggies. Also good for eggs.

3. Fruit juice. I don’t keep it in my house, but if I go out to brunch and see fresh-squeezed OJ or grapefruit juice on the menu, I am in.

4. If you go out for dinner, GO OUT FOR DINNER. I used to eat out or order in 4-5 nights a week. Now, I try to limit my weeknight restaurant dinners to 1. This is because I think it’s pure idiocy to go to a restaurant and order something like a salad (unless I want a salad). Life would be too sad if I went to sushi restaurants or pizza places and ordered salads or bland food. Now, I cook for myself most of the week and when I go out or order in, I get what I want.  Ordering dumplings? Get ’em pan fried the way I like them. Side of coleslaw? Eat it.

5. Spicy mayo. I am sure that my large following of Japanese readers is hissing at me right now, but I can no longer enjoy sushi without spicy mayo. I don’t much care if we’re talking 50-100 extra calories, bring on the sauce!

6. Fruit fruit fruit. For the most part, I try not to eat carbs for dinner. I do not, however, adhere to this rule when it comes to fruit. Since they came into season, I’ve been eating clementines like they’re going out of style. I’m sure Atkins & Co. would say I’m wrong, but I’m not terribly concerned. Lately, I have been consuming fruit 3 times a day: pre-workout banana, blueberries in my breakfast smoothie, clementines at lunch and sometimes at night.

7. Wine. I have never been much of a drinker. Jenna, Erica, Tommy and any of my other dinner companions will tell you that 1 glass of wine will last me well into dessert. Still, when I started this diet, I had to make a decision about alcohol. My decision was that, whenever possible (i.e. unless I’m at a dive bar where the wine is more like juice) I would order wine. Red is better for me; white has fewer calories; both will give me wicked hangovers if I have too much. Still, if I am craving booze, I will have me some wine–rare though those instances may be.

8. Coconut water. Maybe I am a gullible loser, but I have totally hopped the coconut water bandwagon. I don’t always need the 50-80 extra calories this little beverage provides, but I use it in a couple cases. First, I use it if I get to work and am feeling woozy after exercising earlier in the day; it provides electrolytes, which makes me feel less woozy. Second, I use it if I have a headache and don’t want the caffeine in an Excedrin. Third, I use it in place of juice when I want a sweet addition to my afternoon snack.

9. Steak. No doubt, I could stand to order more fish when I go out to eat. But I just can’t bring myself to do it. I love red meat like I love rainbows and pandas. Whether it’s vaca frita or filet mignon, I can’t pass up beef. Since the only way I know how to make steak is to pan fry it in butter, I no longer cook it at home. Which is why, when I am out, it’s all steak all the time.

10. Dried apricots and raisins. Since refined sweets and sugars are definitely personae non gratae, my only refuge is dried fruit. If I am in the mood for something on the dessert-y side, I reach into my desk drawer for some apricots. And when I go to the movies, I pack a baggie of raisins and almonds. No, it’s not some MEGA SPLURGE, I grant you. Still, there’s fiber in these little guys but not much else nutritional value. And if you close your eyes, it’s almost like a Skittle…