Waugh giving up chocolates as part of new diet

Australia's captain Steve Waugh is giving up two of his favourite snacks as part of a new diet preparing him for the forthcoming three-test series against New Zealand, he said on Thursday.

Waugh, 36, who is recovering from a deep-vein thrombosis injury to his calf muscle ahead of the first test starting on November 8 in Brisbane, is on a new low-fat diet.

That means specially-prepared meals with a strong emphasis on red meat and vegetables.

"I am strong-willed when I play cricket, but food is my weakness," Waugh was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun newspaper.

"I needed a bit of guidance, so we are getting my meals made up for (wife) Lynnette as well.

"I can't eat Maltesers (chocolates) or Twisties (cheesy snacks), which are definite weaknesses.

"The only foods I won't eat are celery, anchovies, parsley and olives.

"There is plenty of scope for the dietitian and it tastes good.

"With the DVT I was not allowed to do any exercise, so I put on weight in that four to six-week period (after the 4-1 Ashes series win in England which ended in August)."

Waugh said he had lost 1.5 kilograms and he would stick with the diet for the Australian summer.

The leader of the world's top team will make a low-profile start to his domestic season with an appearance for club side Bankstown on November 3-4 ahead of the first test.

Mail Cricket Editor