Balanced-diet bracelets - Think Healthy

Shape, June, 2003 by Sharen Cohen

Diet logs, journals and software can help you keep track of how much you eat -- a proven way to help you lose weight and keep it off. Now, attractive jewelry can help make the process more fun.

* Each of the SlimmerBeads bracelet's 20 semiprecious stones or glass beads represents 100 calories, and as you eat you slide the beads along the bracelet. (Once moved, a bead stays in place.) Comes with a list of bead and calorie values for more than 800 foods ($40; 410-433-2774, www.slimmerbeads.com).

* Moving charms around a Tali pearl bracelet can help you count calories or "points." In several colors (pewter, $35; sterling silver, $75; talijewelry.com, 866-280-8254).

* Balance Bands are delicate, stretchy bracelets designed to help you eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day -- the minimum requirement. In the morning you put all five bracelets on your right wrist. Each time you eat a produce serving, you move one band to your left wrist. Ideally, you'll be wearing all five on your left wrist before bedtime ($15 per set plus $2 shipping from www.balancebands.com; $2 from each purchase is donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation).