Remember the old "betcha can't eat just one" potato chip commercial? The idea was that if you gave in and ate one potato chip, before you knew it, the whole bag would be gone.

So dieters have this adage burned into their memories, thinking they can't let any "forbidden fruit" even touch their lips, lest they fall off their diet and descend into an engorgement abyss.

But are dieters like alcoholics where just one taste of alcohol leads to intoxication?

Some experts will tell you to just say NO to food temptations. This may work for some, but not everyone has the same psychological makeup and each individual responds to different motivations.

Oddly enough, depriving yourself of that treat can build it into a bigger monster than it needs to be.

The constant fear of chocolate cake or fettuccine becomes all consuming.

If you are the type of person who falls off the diet wagon, becomes depressed, then dumps the weight loss program totally, perhaps you need to indulge yourself in a small way.

Better to take one small bite, get that needed flavor, then let the urge pass.

Of course, you don't want to worship the one bite and plan your day for it, either. Moderation is the key.

First, decide what nondiet food you are yearning for. Is it sweet? Salty? Fat-laden?

Second, plan how often you need to "quench" the craving. Every day? Once a week? Whatever keeps you on track for the long term is the answer here.

Now, get a small piece of whatever you have been yearning for. Buy a candy bar, take one small section of it, about one inch square, and give the rest to a friend.

Buy a snack size bag a potato chips and share it with a hungry child.

Or, go out for lunch with a friend who is not dieting. Arrange in advance for them to order that food you are dreaming about. When your meals arrive, you take one small portion from them, satisfy the craving, then happily crunch down that salad.

Consume your food slowly, chewing thoroughly, and savoring the taste.

When it is gone, think back on how much you enjoyed the experience. Feel good about the fact that you didn't need an entire cake to satisfy you, just a tiny portion. Think about how good your stomach feels when it is not stuffed with food. Congratulate yourself for sticking with your weight loss plan.