Doctor-Approved Crash Diets

The Heart Doc's Plan

Her Menu

Cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, knows that ignoring the little things, like nutrition labels, could pack on the pounds easily. "Processed foods may advertise as being low in cholesterol when they're loaded with sugar," warns Dr. Goldberg. So don't eat anything processed, fried, slathered in butter, coated with sugar, or made with white flour. Also, "weigh food portions to make sure a 3-ounce serving of chicken is really 3 ounces," she says.

Her Moves

Recruit an exercise buddy for inspiration -- and emancipation from boredom. And if Dr. Goldberg couldn't find an ally? "I'd make my husband do it with me," she says, laughing. As a bonus to burning calories, Dr. Goldberg notes, "Doing any kind of physical activity actually keeps me from thinking about food."

Her Motivation Tip

Dr. Goldberg knows she'll lust after carbs -- the bad ones, of course -- right before her period. "To avoid temptation, I just try to remember how bloated and sleepy they make me feel," she says.

-- Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the NYU Women's Heart Program, author of The Women's Healthy Heart Program