Dear Heloise: I’ve heard that low calorie, artificially sweetened drinks and sweeteners aren’t so good when I’m trying to lose weight. What do you think? — Emily in Illinois

Emily, yes, there are studies that show artificially sweetened drinks do not help folks curb their appetites, cut calories or lose weight. Rather, consumption of artificial sweeteners can lead to weight GAIN, along with a myriad of other health issues, like diabetes and heart disease.

If you consume a beverage with no calories, your brain may trick you into thinking it’s OK to eat more calories. Some experts even say that consuming sugar substitutes can cause you to crave sweets more.

Discuss this issue with your doctor or nutritionist. A best practice in the struggle to cut sugar and calories? Taper off sugar consumption, but take it slow — and a small amount of real sugar is generally OK. Again, check with a medical professional. — Heloise

FRENCH TUCK

Dear Heloise: Can you tell me about the French tuck fashion trend and when it is appropriate to wear? — Heidi in New York

Heidi, the French tuck is a way to highlight your waistline, while also going casual. Tuck the front of your shirt or blouse into pants, jeans or a skirt. Let the back of the shirt hang loose.

This is an extremely casual look, and even though office dress codes have relaxed significantly, and we are in a breezy, springtime mode, keep this look for the weekend.

It does tend to visually nip in the waist, and can make you appear taller. Give it a try. — Heloise

CAKE CUTTER

Dear Heloise: Instead of cutting a round cake into wedges, my family cuts the cake straight down the middle to make two half circles. Then we cut diagonally again, about an inch over. This is one portion.

When finished, we “smoosh” the two cut ends together, and this keeps the cake fresher than foil or plastic wrap on a wedge from a traditionally cut cake. — Abbey in Texas

FAMILY RECIPE BOX

Dear Readers: Do you have a family recipe box? It’s probably wooden, including well-worn, paper-clipped, dog-eared, hand-me-down index-card-size recipes and homemaking hints that are a time capsule legacy of your family.

Seeing the handwriting of a mother or grandmother and reading their recipes can bring back memories that you may not have been able to recall any other way. Such a treasure! — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.